First consignment of Pfizer vaccine from US reaches Caribbean

The first consignment of Pfizer vaccine from the United States of America reached three CARICOM countries on Thursday. A total of 445 670 doses were delivered.

Each country received their share based on population size, while St Kitts and Nevis, the smallest country in the Western Hemisphere, received only 11,700 doses. Trinidad and Tobago received the highest share of 305,270, followed by the Bahamas with 128,700 doses.

Barbados, St Vincent and Grenadines are yet to receive the vaccines, with the former receiving the doses on Friday morning. Many Caribbean Prime Ministers' had written to the US President, requesting vaccines.

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Government's heads of all the beneficiary countries went on to receive the doses at their respective airports. Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis Dr Timothy Harris thanked the Joe Biden led government of the United States. He said nobody is safe until all are safe. [caption id="attachment_36794" align="aligncenter" width="407"] Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris and Health Minister Akilah Byron Nisbitt during the arrival of vaccine[/caption]

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During the arrival of the Pfizer vaccine, Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said that it would be available to adults and children ages 12 to 17 with the consent of their parents or guardian.

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Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr Keith Rowley also said that as Pfizer is considered safe for all children over 12-years of age, the government will be inoculating the high-school kids.

The distribution of vaccines is part of the Biden government's promise to sent over 5.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to low-income countries and regions, including the African Union. The distribution will be made to a total of 92 low-income countries. As per CARICOM, 15 member states will benefit from the US vaccine distribution, while Haiti will be given 1.5 million of the total doses.

Director of Pan American Health Organization Dr Carissa F. Ettiene continues to encourage people to get vaccinated. She said PAHO would also be increasing the vaccine supply to the regional countries.