41.8% of target population vaccinated in St Kitts and Nevis

Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis: The health ministry of St Kitts and Nevis stated on Wednesday evening that 11,858 people have successfully received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris stated," Slowly but surely, we are gradually moving towards our vaccination target. Help your nation achieve herd immunity so that we can move towards a more normalized life and give our economy the boost it needs."As per the data, 15,567 people have received the vaccine in St Kitts, while 3,709  people in Nevis are now inoculated against coronavirus. However, collectively only 1,746 have been fully immunized by taking both shots.The government's goal is to vaccinate 33,037 people to achieve herd immunity against the coronavirus, which is 70% of the total population of both St Kitts and Nevis. However, since the vaccination drive started on 22 February 2021, only 41.8% of the population have received the first dose, and a mere 5.3% received the second dose.All people over the age of 18 are eligible to receive the vaccine in St Kitts and Nevis; however, authorities have advised people with certain health concerns to consult their physicians before taking the shot.Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris and Attorney General Vincent Byron had received the second dose of Oxford Astrazeneca coronavirus vaccine on the same day. Minister of Health Akilah Byron Nisbitt has also received her second dose of vaccine.St Kitts and Nevis recorded only 45 cases of coronavirus while 44 have successfully recovered. The country has been fortunate to record no virus-related deaths.It was also among the first countries in the region to close its borders for international travellers, and the borders were reopened in October 2020. The government is following strict guidelines to ensure the general public is safe and there is no community spread of COVID-19.