An appeal has been launched to raise more than $200,000 to cover the cost of the hospital’s Covid vaccination clinic.

The Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Foundation (BCHF), the fundraising arm of the Bermuda Hospitals Board, has launched the appeal saying the Covid-19 pandemic has put a monumental financial strain on the BHB and the Government.

BHB began its vaccination programme for its 1,800 employees as soon as the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine was available on island.

Doctors, nurses, essential staff of the BHB and all frontline workers were vaccinated at the BHB Covid Vaccination Clinic.

The Department of Health then asked the BHB to the open its vaccination clinic to the public, replacing the makeshift clinic at the Police Club. The BHB committed to a ten-week regime to get as many people vaccinated as possible.

BHB has spent more than $800,000 on the running the clinic so far but expects the cost to reach $1m.

Lisa F Sheppard, the BCHF Executive Director, said: “Vaccinating as many Bermudians and residents as possible is a national priority for personal and island immunity.

“The Bermuda Hospitals Board is in need of donations to help fund the operating costs of running the BHB Covid clinic.

“While the vaccines are at no cost to individuals, there are costs for the nurses, administrators and equipment needed to handle patient intake and administer shots which are now over $800,000 and projected to total $1m to the BHB as the clinic continues to operate towards completing the ten-week programme.”

She added: “The Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Foundation is grateful to donor support thus far and is asking individuals, families and businesses to help cover the balance of funds totalling $222,000 needed by BHB’s clinic.

To donate: go to www.bhcf.bm and click ‘donate here’ to follow prompts for payment options. Direct bank transfer with donor name in reference notes to: Bank of N. T. Butterfield, USD # 840 000 4450 032, BMD # 060 000 4450 020.

Or call 239-1519 to make a donation to the Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Foundation.