Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves continues to monitor the pace of vaccination against COVID-19 in St Vincent and the Grenadines as the November 19 deadline for specific frontline workers approaches.
By November 19, 2021, a scheduled list of Central government employees and some in State entities will be required to take the vaccine as a standard or qualification to work.
During his Face-to-Face programme on Wednesday, Gonsalves assured his seriousness about the issuance of the regulations stating that unless Vincentians take the vaccine the country will not go back to normalcy.
The prime minister said he is confident good sense will be shown by all persons being asked to take the vaccine by November 19. He also issued a call for union leaders of the public service and teachers to cooperate.
Quoting some of the latest figures with respect to the vaccination programme, Gonsalves said out of 61 primary schools, 30 schools as of Monday had over 60 per cent vaccination coverage of staff, either fully vaccinated or with one dose. He added that 44 per cent of these teachers were fully vaccinated.
In the secondary schools, from 11 out of 25 schools, there is 60 per cent vaccination coverage of staff.
Turning to the police service, the prime minister said on Tuesday, 61 per cent of police officers were at least partially vaccinated with one dose.
He further disclosed that over 700 policemen and women were either fully or partially vaccinated, which included Coast Guard and Fire Service.
Gonsalves also noted that senior officers have been busy interviewing over 200 applicants who are either fully or partially vaccinated, seeking to join the police force.