Barbados all set to vaccinate 25% population against COVID-19

Barbados: Small Caribbean nation, Barbados on Tuesday received over 100,000 jabs of COVID-19 Vaccine from India. Under the auspices of Oxford Astrazeneca and manufactured in India, Covishield would be enough to provide 50,000 double doses to the people who are most vulnerable to the virus.

According to information, the aircraft (N302PJ) has landed at the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) in Seawell, which made a journey from India starting from Sunday.

Notably, 92 countries, including most Caribbean nations, have asked India to acquire the COVID-19 vaccine as India is among the international vaccine manufacturing leaders. However, Barbados and Dominica are the only nations in the entire Caribbean, which managed to procure the Vaccine from India that too free of charge. This all happened due to the government's virtuous international relations. The early delivery of Vaccine in Barbados is credited to Prime Minister Mia Mottley's wise leadership, who managed her personal links to jump the queue of other 92 countries or, more specifically, the whole Caribbean.

Barbados had imposed a curfew in the wake of rising Covid-19 cases as it has so far reported 1,641 confirmed cases, out of which 1,274 are already recovered. PM Mia Mottley's quick-witted action marked Barbados as the first country in the region to start vaccination by the coming weekend.

Prime Minister of UK, Boris Johnson had announced earlier that he would open the country lockdowns after 20% of the population is vaccinated, and Barbados, having a population of about 287,010, would be able to give 100,000 jabs to vaccinate about 25% (Double doses) of its population with the help of India.

Lately, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, PM Mottley expressed her gratitude and said, “I trust that you are well and safe. On behalf of my government and people, I wish to express gratitude to you, your government, and the people of the Republic of India for its most generous donation of Covishield vaccines.”

“Gift from the people and Government of India,” written consignment was well appreciated by Barbados' government and the people. The Vaccine sent by India is most favorable for all the Caribbean nations as it does not require very low temperature for storage. The Oxford AstraZeneca requires regular fridge temperature. During a press conference, Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley Thanking India for its generous donation said that both countries share common values and cultures.