COVID-19: 23 out of total 25 deaths were unvaccinated in St Kitts and Nevis

Basseterre: The third wave of community spread attributed to the deadly COVID-19 virus is under control, according to Health Ministry officials. In this regard, during the NEOC COVID-19 press conference on November 3, 2021, the Chief of Medical Staff of the General Hospital Joseph N. France, Dr. Cameron Wilkinson, stated that the majority of deaths related to COVID- 19 in St Kitts and Nevis are not vaccinated people. Dr Wilkinson added that deaths continue to be among those who are not vaccinated. Twenty-three (23) of the twenty-five (25) deaths did not have the protection that was available to them through vaccination. “Unfortunately, we will return here to report more deaths if people remain unprotected.” Despite clear evidence that vaccines protect against serious illness, hospitalization, and death, there is still a segment of the population that does not have a defensive shield against the virus because it is not vaccinated.

“Being vaccinated is not just a personal choice, like wearing a mask, it is a personal responsibility that people must and must assume in this public health crisis, as your decision not to be vaccinated has far-reaching consequences for all of us,” said Dr Wilkinson.

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has worked hard to secure various vaccines to inoculate the citizens and residents of the Federation. Currently, anyone who wants to be vaccinated has the option of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine from Oxford-AstraZeneca or the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech. Dr. Wilkinson also described during his presentation the benefits of getting vaccinated and asked the unvaccinated to join the fight against COVID-19 as soon as possible.

“By getting vaccinated, you are less likely to become infected with COVID-19, less likely to transmit the virus to others, and less likely to become seriously ill, and you and your contact are less likely to be hospitalized and overwhelm the healthcare system. More importantly, the first life you can save through vaccination is yours.

Remember that it only takes one amber to start a fire; It only takes one case of COVID-19 to spark a new wave of infection that can threaten our healthcare system and push us back to more curfews and even lockdowns. “The experience of others elsewhere should be a warning to us here ... As we slowly emerge from this third wave, many become complacent and less vigilant with non-pharmaceutical measures, even as many demand a return to mass events and contact sports," said Dr. Wilkinson. The Ministry of Health encouraged people to go out and get vaccinated. Once four (4) weeks or more have passed after the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine from Oxford-AstraZeneca or 21 days or more after the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech, people are eligible to return for their second dose.