St Kitts and Nevis: 60.8% of the target population vaccinated with first dose

The ministry of health St Kitts and Nevis, have successfully managed to vaccinate 60.8% of the target population with the first dose of the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine, while 23.2% have received both shots. Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris applauded all the people for stepping forward for the COVID-19 vaccine; he said the country is making significant progress, and everyone should keep moving to get the economy in the right direction. Dr Cameron Wilkinson, Medical Chief of Staff at the Joseph N. France General Hospital, stated that more than 60 percent of the nation’s adult population sent a strong message by receiving their vaccines. He said that some people were holding back due to some genuine concerns that health practitioners addressed.

Dr Wilkinson said the coronavirus vaccine gives 63 to 83% protection from getting seriously ill because of the virus; he said the vaccine also prevents ICU and severe impacts of the disease. He advised that people who received the vaccine four weeks ago must go forward to get a second shot to be fully vaccinated.

A total of 27,749 doses of the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine have been administered in St Kitts and Nevis. As per the official statistics, 21,140 doses have been given in St Kitts and 6,609 in Nevis.

The health ministry published that 7,659 people are now fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.

A recent cluster of coronavirus outbreak has led to 17 active COVID-19 patients in the country; following the recent hike; the government immediately ordered a curfew for two weeks. All schools and educational institutions will also remain closed. The government ordered that all public transportations can operate with 50% of passenger capacity. Authorities have also declared that people travelling between St Kitts and Nevis travel do not have to show proof of the COVID-19 vaccine but must comply with all health and safety protocols created to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.