The Ministry of Health and Wellness has announced a one month milestone since the COVID -19 Vaccination Campaign started.
This as Saint Lucia prepares to roll out phase two of the campaign.
According to Immunisation Manager Tecla Jn Baptiste, to date the ministry has administered a total of 19, 552 COVID-19 vaccines.
The senior health official described it as a significant achievement within a short period of time.
And she said the encouraging response demonstrates collective commitment to end the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jn Baptiste made the comments in a a statement Thursday.
From March 15 to 19, the vaccination drive targetted individuals limited to their homes due to age, illness or mobility challenges.
Jn Baptiste said Vaccination teams have visited communities to reach these individuals.
She observed that many are at high risk of severe COVID -19 because of age or health conditions.
But she disclosed that based on the number of people to be engaged, the Vaccination Committee this week decided 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,” Jn Baptiste said.
Last month, Saint Lucia received official confirmation from the Pan -American Health Organization of its allocation of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine .
Jn Baptiste said the announcement indicated that this stock would arrive at the end of the first quarter of 2021 .
She disclosed that this platform allocated a total of 74, 400 doses.
And Saint Lucia expects to get the first tranche of the vaccines in the coming weeks.
As a result, the country will then be rolling out Phase Two of the national vaccination campaign.
Jn Baptiste noted that during this phase, mass vaccination will target those at moderate risk.
She identified them as individuals in the transportation, education and tourism sector.
“Jn Baptiste explained that in due course, officials will provide updates and schedules.
But she reminded members of the public to pre-register for the COVID-19 jab.
They may do so online at hmi.govt.lc or by calling the nearest Community Wellness Centre.