The Ministry of Health, Wellness & Elderly Affairs on Tuesday, February 8th informed the public of the temporary unavailability of the Astrazeneca COVID-19 Vaccine.
According to a statement from the Ministry, “the last stock in-country expired on January 31, 2022, and because of logistical delays, Saint Lucia has not received its next shipment.”
Regionally, other countries in the Eastern Caribbean are experiencing a similar situation and assurance was given that the Ministry of Health is making every effort to ensure that the Astrazeneca COVID-19 Vaccine becomes available within the next week.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness & Elderly Affairs confirmed that the Pfizer BioNTech 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 (with persons requiring boosters).
Persons who have not been vaccinated, or are partially vaccinated were encouraged to visit a vaccination site as vaccination remains the best protection against severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization and death.