The Ministry of Health, Wellness & Elderly Affairs informs the public of the temporary unavailability of the Astrazeneca COVID-19 Vaccine.

The last stock in-country expired onJanuary 31, 2022. Due to logistical delays, Saint Lucia has not received its next shipment. Regionally, other countriesin the Eastern Caribbean are experiencing the similar situation. The public is assured that the Ministry of Health is making every effort to ensure that the Astrazeneca COVID-19Vaccine becomes available within the next week.

The Ministry of Health, Wellness & Elderly Affairs also informs the public that the PfizerBioNTech and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines are available at all vaccination sites and Wellness Centres. Both vaccines are safe and can be used as a heterologous combination (mix-and-match) for persons who would have received Astrazeneca as a first dose, or primary series (inthecase of persons requiring boosters).

Persons who have not been vaccinated, or are partially vaccinated are encouraged tovisit a vaccination site. Vaccination remains the best protection against severe COVID-19illness, hospitalisation and death. Once again, the Ministry of Health apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

For more information please contact the Of ice of the Chief Medical Officer or the EpidemiologyUnit, at 468-5309/468-5317 respectively