The Government of Dominica through the Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment has begun the implementation of the covid-19 vaccine rollout.
On Tuesday, February 8th 2021, Dominica received 70,000 doses of the AstraZeneca from the Government of India in a bid to build immunity against the disease.
The vaccine implementation is the next phase in prevention measures and combating the disease.
Beginning today, Monday February 22nd 2021 will commence vaccination of identified priority target groups at the seven health districts.
The vaccine will be administered at the Roseau Health Centre, the Grand Bay Health Centre, the St. Joseph Health Centre, the Castle Bruce Health Centre, the Wesley Health Centre, and the Portsmouth Health Centre.
The vaccines will primarily be given to persons in identified groups, namely health care workers, frontline workers such as immigration officers, custom officers, Dominica Air and Sea Port Authority employees, airport taxi operators, fire officers, police officers, persons with comorbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer and persons 65 years and older.
Minister for Health, Wellness and New Health Investment, Hon. Dr. Irving McIntyre encouraged citizens to make themselves for the vaccine.
"Everyone goes through 15 minutes of observation after the vaccine and I feel good now. And I feel good because this I the beginning of better things to come in terms of our fight against covid-19. I am encouraging the entire population that they should look into it. They can do their little investigations. They can verify their queries, do their little research because it is a voluntary vaccine. But we still want everyone to participate in our vaccination programme," Dr. McIntyre stated.
President Savarin Charles Savarin received the first dose on Friday, February 12 2021 along with First Lady, Mrs. Clara Savarin. Other Dominican officials, including the. Dr. Irving McIntyre, Parliament Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Hon. Kent Edwards, and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Joseph Isaac also took the vaccine