TWENTY PERCENT OF POPULATION FULLY VACCINATED.
Saint Lucia reached the 20% target of fully vaccinated persons as of Monday 11 October 2021, accounting for 36, 253 persons having received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Whilst this seems far away from the desired 70% population immunity, it signifies progress – a step closer to achieving our goal.
Over the past weeks, we note a tendency towards a decrease in the reported
cases, however, we should not become complacent. We note that there are
still variants of concern circulating in- country, and as a result the possibility
of another spike exists if we become too relaxed. Therefore, we urge each and
every one of you to continue adhering to the public health measures, and get
vaccinated.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs continues to note a higher
percentage of hospitalizations and deaths in the unvaccinated. In light of this, we encourage you to get vaccinated for the added protection from the COVID-19 virus. The benefits of the vaccine greatly outweigh the potential side effects associated with the vaccine. The possibility of serious complications for
anyone who gets the virus, should be a reason for getting the vaccine. Indeed,
it is difficult to predict how COVID-19 will affect any individual and so the
Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs stands behind its official
recommendation that every citizen gets vaccinated for COVID-19.
Over the past nineteen months, we have reported 224 deaths. Each life lost was
someone dear to one of us – a mother, father, sister, bother, friend, workmate or someone whom we knew. COVID-19 is real.
COVID-19 vaccines combined with the public health recommendations provide the best protection from COVID-19. This is how we can end the pandemic. Persons who are unvaccinated are encouraged to access one of the vaccination sites. Play your part in ending the pandemic.
Vaccinate for you; for yours and for us!