The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and the Environment will roll out its public COVID-19 vaccination program on Monday, March 1.
Four vaccination sites will open at 10 am on Monday to the general public with priority to people 65 years and older, who have already registered to receive the vaccine.
Based on the COVID-19 mortality rate of older persons, the elderly has been prioritized for vaccination.
The four vaccination sites to open on Monday are located at:
- Villa Polyclinic.
- Glanville Polyclinic.
- Multipurpose Cultural and Exhibition Centre.
- Sir Novelle Richards Academy.
Beginning on Tuesday COVID-19 vaccination sites will open from 9 am to 3:30 pm daily at all four sites. Individuals are required to present their identification cards at the vaccination site.
Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph led a team of Senior Technicians within the Ministry on a series of vaccination site visits over the weekend to ensure readiness for Monday’s vaccination roll out.
The team included the Chief Medical Officer – Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas, Principal Nursing Officer – Margaret Smith, Acting Superintendent of Public Health Nursing – Almarie Coates. The visits were held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – February 26-28.
Meanwhile, arrangements have been made for a mobile unit to vaccinate the shut-in and those who are physically unable to visit any of the vaccination sites.
Special arrangements have been made for the staff of all government departments and statutory organizations to receive their COVID-19 vaccination on the job site.
Statutory organizations include but not limited to the Antigua Barbuda Airport Authority (ABAA), Antigua Barbuda Port Authority, the Antigua Barbuda Public Utilities Authority (APUA), Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS), Social Security, State Insurance, Board of Education, National Solid Waste Authority, Financial Services Regulatory Commission, PDV Caribe Antigua and Barbuda LTD, LIAT, West indies Oil Company, and the Antigua Barbuda Development Bank. A schedule will follow shortly in connection with these organizations. On-site Government Ministries’ vaccination will commence from Tuesday,2nd March, 2021 onwards.
Special provisions have also been made for the vaccination of teachers through the Ministry of Education. Additionally, vaccination of front-line workers continues. They include health-care workers, members of the Antigua Barbuda Defense Force, The Antigua Barbuda Royal Police Force, Immigration officers, and nursing homes.
Persons receiving the COVID-19 vaccination will be monitored on-site for 15 minutes however, persons who experience any adverse effects at home are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline at 462-6843 for assistance.
Sir Molwyn is urging residents to exercise patience during the public vaccination process while at the same time maintaining physical distancing protocols so that their health will not be compromised owing to breaches of the COVID-19 protocols. He is further encouraging residents to register for the COVID-19 vaccine via the three available methods – community clinics, online or via the telephone.
For online registration visit www.vaccineantiguabarbuda.com and select the “Vaccine Registration” tab. Upon clicking the tab, you will be required to fill out your general information and when completed, click “submit”. Your registration is then completed. Registration hotline numbers are 788-8299, 736-8295, 736-8298, 736-8299. Pre-registration is vital for efficiency in the vaccination process.
The 40,000 AstraZeneca vaccines will arrive on the island, early tomorrow, Monday, 1st March 2021.