Oxford-Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine from India lands at Antigua airport

Oxford-Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine from India successfully reached Antigua airport on Monday morning. Collectively over 175,000 doses were dispatched from Mumbai, India, on Saturday. The vaccines were dispatched due to the strong diplomatic ties of Gurdip Dev Bath, special representative of St Kitts and Nevis who not only helped St Kitts and Nevis, but also helped other islands. Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne stated that despite being far away in the Northern Hemisphere, India made efforts to help the countries all the way in the Western Hemisphere.

He stated that Antigua and Barbuda continue to strengthen their bilateral relations with India.

He acknowledged the efforts of India and stated that the world's second-most populous country has been assisting the Caribbean region for several years, and two years ago, it aided the region with 14 million US dollars collectively. The Antiguan Prime Minister stated that to achieve herd immunity, it is eminent to vaccinate 70 percent of the population. He noted the benefits of immunizations and stated that it can reduce hospitalizations. Besides this, he stated that 5000 of these doses will be donated to Grenada. The country also anticipates to receive 20,000 vaccines from the COVAX facility in a few weeks.

Maurice M Merchant stated during the arrival of the vaccine stated that Antigua and Barbuda appreciate the humanitarian gesture of the Indian government is of high-significance.

Indian High Commissioner KJ Srinivasan stated to Georgetown, Guyana flew to Antigua and Barbuda on the arrival of the vaccine.

He stated that the arrival of 175,000 vaccine doses has come as a donation to Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, and Suriname. The vaccines arrived on a charter flight from Mumbai, India. The remaining countries are expected to receive their share of vaccines in the coming 24-hours.

"These 40,000 vaccines for Antigua and Barbuda will meet the immediate requirements of vaccinating the front-line workers, health care workers, co-morbid." stated the Indian High-Commissioner.

He stated the Oxford Astrazeneca coronavirus vaccine named the COVISHILED vaccine is manufactured in India by the Indian Serum Institute, which is the largest vaccine manufacturer.

The Indian High Commissioner stated that he would continue his efforts to facilitate Antigua and Barbuda with vaccinations on a commercial basis.

He noted that the country had received the doses of the COVID-19 vaccine within days of being available. He referred to the humanitarian efforts of India.