St Lucia: Vaccine schedule for this week released

Castries, St Lucia: The government of St Lucia have released the COVID-19 vaccine schedule for this week start from Tuesday, May 11, 2020, onwards. Prime Minister Allen Chastanet stated that people desirous of receiving their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and well as those receiving the second dose are advised to follow the vaccination schedule for the week. He stated that people must walk with a form of identification to the facility for their registration. Those who have received the first dose must also walk with the vaccination card which was given after receiving the first dose. Vaccination sites will be operational from 9 am to 4 pm daily. The vaccination schedule for this week starts from May 11, 2021, Tuesday at the Philip Marcellin Grounds, Daren Sammy Cricket grounds, Jacmel Wellness Centre. On May 12, 2021, Wednesday, the vaccinations will take place at the Dennery Mothers' Pre-school, Soufriere Hospital Grounds, Vigie Sports Complex.

While on May 13, 2021, the vaccine drive will again take place at the Daren Sammy Cricket Grounds and Philip Marcellin Grounds.

The vaccine drive will start at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground and Jacmel Wellness centre on Friday, May 14 2021, while 14 May 2021 is the last scheduled date for this weeks vaccine taking place at the Vigie Sports Complex.

St Lucia recorded almost 5,000 coronavirus cases since the first case arriving in 2020. The Caribbean island also witnessed 75 coronavirus related deaths.

The country is using the Oxford Astrazeneca coronavirus vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. The vaccines arrived from India under the country's vaccine maitiri initiative.

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet and his wife were among the first ones to receive the doses. Many people have shown interest in receiving the vaccine as coronavirus cases are growing rapidly.

The vaccine is also significant for St Lucia to resume its tourism sector as the Prime Minister recently travelled to Miami to have a meeting with cruise ship officials.