Dominica gets 28,800 doses of Astrazeneca vaccine from COVAX

Roseau, Dominica: On Tuesday evening, the Commonwealth of Dominica received 28,800 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX facility. The vaccine was received by the Minister of health and wellness, Dr Irving McIntyre.

Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit stated that the additional doses of these Astrazeneca coronavirus vaccines would help strengthen the vaccine drive in the country.

He also urged the people to get protected against the COVID-19 by taking the jab.

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Irving McIntyre stated that they are grateful to the Covax Facility and PAHO for serving in the interest of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like ours in the Region.

Dr McIntyre stated that the vaccines were acquired through the PAHO Revolving fund, which is responsible for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines for countries of the Americas.

COVAX is a joint effort between the Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Vaccine Alliance Gavi, UNICEF, PAHO and the WHO. Through the Covax Facility, equitable distribution of vaccines is made a priority.

"This is significant considering the International vaccine diplomacy that has been prevailing, largely based on Political and Financial influence." added the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dominica.

The vaccination drive in Dominica is undergoing in all health districts. The health departments are primarily using the Oxford Astrazeneca coronavirus vaccine, while the country also has the possession of over 20,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine that was facilitated by the People's Republic of China.

Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit had added that doctors in Dominica are currently studying the uses of Sinopharm to administer the doses on children over the age of three.

The island country, with a population of 70,000, aims at immunization the entire population with a greater focus on target groups in the initials days. More than 18,000 people have already received the coronavirus vaccines in the country since the vaccine drive started in February 2021.