Dominica vaccinated 5,924 people in just 14 days

The small Caribbean island of Dominica has vaccinated 5,924 people as of Friday. The vaccine drive started from 22 February onwards to immunize the general public.

Dominica is using Oxford-Astrazeneca's COVISHIELD vaccine, which was donated by India earlier this month.

India had aided Dominica with 70,000 doses of coronavirus vaccination which the country further shared with its sister nations, including St Lucia, St Kitts, and Nevis, and Guyana.

Prime Minister Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit stated that sharing the vaccine would assist other countries in immunizing their front-line workers.

Dominica is expecting to receive the vaccine from WHO's COVAX mission for over 20 percent of its population. Besides this, the People's Republic of China has also promised to provide additional vaccines.

People have shown greater interest in the immunization drive, which is initiated in all seven health districts.

To reduce no contact registrations, an online registration platform has also been created. People have been asked to register at https://vaccineregistration.dominica.gov.dm 

Prime Minister Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit continues to emphasize that immunization is voluntary and not mandatory. He had earlier noted that the country is offering free vaccinations to all.

President Charles Savarin and Health Minister Irvin McIntyre were among the first to receive the vaccine in Dominica. PM Roosevelt Skerrit also took the first dose of the vaccine earlier this week at his office in Roseau. He advised people to get themselves vaccinated and stated that it is pivotal in the fight against the contagious disease.

There are only fifteen active coronavirus cases in Dominica, and no virus-related death have been recorded so far. The country only recorded 142 cases while 127 successfully recovered.

The ministry of health and wellness conducted over 11519 people, and 11377 tested positive for the contagious disease.

As per the recent data by the Dominican health ministry, five contacts are still under investigation, and 25 are in GOCD quarantine.