BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE push by health officials to achieve herd immunity in St. Kitts and Nevis against the Coronavirus is taking shape as the Federation has recorded a 14 percent immunisation rate over a two-week span.
That number was presented by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hazel Laws at Wednesday’s (Mar. 10) NEOC media brief, where it was disclosed that during a two-week span, since receiving 22,000 doses of the AstraZeneca Vaccine, over 5,100 people have already taken the first dose.
The Government has been urging citizens and residents to ensure they get vaccinated and has embarked on a public education campaign since its Ministers, health officials and other Parliamentarians had taken their first dose of the vaccine.
“If you are a customer service representative, if you are a cashier, if you are working in one of the utility companies and you have to serve the general public, you are at risk of being exposed to the virus, and so you are a candidate for vaccination,” stated Dr. Laws.
Currently, people between the ages of 18-80 are encouraged to take the vaccine that is expected to prevent individuals from getting seriously ill.
“If you are 80 or over, we are recommending that you go to your regular physician, be evaluated and get the nod of approval that you can proceed in getting the vaccine,” the CMO advised.
In providing an analysis of the AstraZeneca Vaccine, Dr. Laws explained that in clinical trials it has provided a 63-83 percent risk reduction in contracting the disease.
This vaccine is being offered within the Federation with two doses taken 10 weeks apart.
The CMO announced that the Government is expecting its allotment of the vaccine from the COVAX facility later this month.
