The Ministry of Health and Wellness has now achieved a one month milestone since the commencement of the COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign. To date a total of 19, 552 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered, a significant achievement within a short period of time. This is a very encouraging response and demonstrates our collective commitment to end the COVID- 19 pandemic which has been challenging us for over one year now.

During the course of this week, March 15 to 19, 2021, the vaccination strategy has been to target individuals who are limited to their homes due to age, illness or mobility challenges. Vaccination teams have been within communities to reach these individuals within their home setting to ensure their inclusion in the national vaccination drive. Many of these people are at high risk of severe COVID-19 due to their age or health conditions. Based on the number of people to be engaged, the Vaccination Committee this week made the decision to continue to target the homebound in the coming week, March 22 to 26, 2021. We ask all who require this service to contact their nearest Community Wellness Center to register for vaccination at home.

In early February 2021, the Ministry of Health and Wellness received official confirmation from the Pan-American Health Organization of its allocation of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The announcement indicated that this stock would arrive in country at the end of the first quarter of 2021. A total of 74, 400 doses were allocated through this platform. With the expectation of receiving the first tranche of these vaccines in the coming weeks, the Ministry will then be rolling out Phase Two of the national vaccination campaign. During this phase, mass vaccination will be focused on sector at moderate risk of exposure to COVID-19.