BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - FRONTLINE workers, the Cabinet of St. Kitts and Nevis, along with medical doctors and frontline workers were the first to receive jabs of the COVID-19 Vaccine.
This was made possible through the donations of 2,000 doses of the AstraZeneca Vaccine by the Government of Dominica through a donation from the People of India, which is part of a large tranche of 500,000 doses being made to the region.
Medical Chief of Staff Dr. Cameron Wilkinson was the first to receive the jab in the presence of a packed Newtown Clinic and viewed across the country.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hazel Laws, in her speech, reminded that the rollout of the Vaccine would be done in a phased approach across the Federation.
In highlighting the major drivers for vaccination, the CMO stated: “The goals of our programme are: 1) to decrease death and serious disease; 2) preserve functioning societies; and 3) reduce the extra burden COVID-19 is having on our people who are already facing disparities.”
Reiterating that yesterday’s (Feb. 22) vaccination rollout was geared towards inoculating those people who fall into the high-risk priority groups, the CMO disclosed that approximately 50 people were provided with their first dose.
“This afternoon over 50 persons have come out to be vaccinated. They choose to take the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine. They are choosing to protect themselves, their families and our society. During this week, COVID-19 vaccination will continue.”
In a short while, the Federation is expected to continue to receive 21,600 doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca Vaccine from the COVAX facility, which is an arm of the World Health Organisation geared towards assisting small states and those who cannot easily access the vaccine to gain doses.
Added to that, India has promised doses within the coming days as part of its Vaccine Diplomacy measures that will see it donate millions of doses to countries that are unable to access large amounts, such as the Caribbean region and Africa.
Meanwhile, the CMO pleaded with both citizens and residents who are able to take the Vaccine to do so in order to protect themselves and those with whom they come into contact.
She added that by vaccinating the people it would assist the Government with its fight to curb the spread of the virus locally.
