By Caribbean News Global contributor
CASTRIES, St Lucia – The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), a responsible member of the global community working to achieve the World Health Organisation (WHO) vision of health donated 10, 000 doses of the Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine to Saint Lucia in the continual effort to save lives.
Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Saint Lucia His Excellency Peter Chen praised the government of Saint Lucia for the work done in managing the spread of the COVID-19 virus noted the continual support to Saint Lucia.
“While we continue to face the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am especially honoured that Taiwan could support our true friends urgently by donating 10, 000 AstraZeneca vaccine to help boost the health and resilience of the Saint Lucian people. Taiwan can help and Taiwan has helped. We will continue our efforts to support Saint Lucia in combatting COVID-19 and work closely with the government of Saint Lucia for the well-being of all Saint Lucians.”
Receiving the donation on behalf of the government of Saint Lucia, minister for health, wellness and elderly affairs, Moses Jn Baptiste commented that he is extremely grateful for the donation of the vaccine from the government of Taiwan and encouraged Saint Lucians to get vaccinated.
“We will try to do our very best to ensure that the AstraZeneca vaccine go to our people. We continue to say that we recognise the challenges we have in relation to vaccine hesitancy and we continue to seek the support of all countries who have dealt with vaccine hesitancy and to see what strategies, what new strategies can be used. We can not give up in this fight and we can not give up at all.”
As of March 8, 2022, a total of 52, 539 individuals are fully vaccinated, while 5, 619 are partially vaccinated; 6, 854 have received their booster shot, according to the ministry of health.
Deputy immunization manager Bernadette Felix-Regis says the ministry of health is extremely delighted for the donation of safe and effective vaccines to aid in combating the COVID-19 virus.
“The government of Saint Lucia is profoundly grateful for the donation of the 10, 000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine which will augment our vaccine inventory and strengthen the vaccination campaign and immunization programs through equitable vaccine distribution. As part of our national efforts to mitigate this pandemic, the ministry of health intends to accelerate vaccine access to the eligible population.”
The government of Saint Lucia on February 8, 2022, reported the temporary unavailabily Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine, said: “ The last stock in-country expired on January 31, 2022. Due to logistical delays, Saint Lucia has not received its next shipment.”
On March 1, the government of Saint Lucia reported receipt of 10, 000 doses of the Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine from the government of the United Kingdom.
