The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs recently accepted receipt of 10, 000 doses of the Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine from the Government of the United Kingdom, following a handover ceremony.

National Immunization Manager Tecla Jn Baptiste says she is extremely grateful for the donation of the vaccine which will help to protect citizens against the COVID-19 virus.

“The donation of this vaccine is timely. It comes at a time when the country has been out of stock for the past month. These vaccines continue to provide life-saving benefits to the people of Saint Lucia and increases availability to the eligible population as part of our national efforts to reach population immunity and help bring an end to this pandemic.”

Resident British Commissioner Lesley Saunderson expressed her government’s commitment to supporting Saint Lucia’s efforts to ensure that vaccines are available to the people.

“In June last year, our Prime Minister pledged the UK will provide a 100 million vaccines but not only by the middle of this year but not only AstraZeneca and 80% of it to be provided by COVAX and the rest of it will be bilateral donations like the one we have here today. The Chief Medical Officer and I have been in regular talks since that pledge has been made by our Prime Minister while the Chief Medical Officer have been monitoring the demand and keeping an eye on managing the wastage of stocks here in Saint Lucia. And that why we are here today, to deliver the consignment of 10, 000 doses of Oxford AstraZeneca that Saint Lucia needs now.”

Minister for Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs Hon Moses Jn Baptiste expressed heartfelt gratitude to the people and Government of the United Kingdom for the generous donation of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and says it will play a significant part in the vaccination program.

 “The people of the United Kingdom continues to battle COVID-19. They are still at war with COVID-19, their people are still getting infected and some people unfortunately have died yet they have found it possible to use their resources and to share their resources with us even in the middle of this war. I wish to say how pleased we are, how grateful we are. All around the world, countries are recognising and have recognised that we must all fight the pandemic together.”

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine will be available to the public at the various wellness centres island-wide.

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