Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 03, 2021 (SKNIS): Recently, the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) heaped praise on the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis for the successful role out of the COVID-19 vaccination programme. Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, during the November 2, 2021 edition of ‘Leadership Matters’ applauded persons for getting vaccinated and urged those still hesitant to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
“We urge every employee of the Government especially our crossing guards, police officers, defense force officers, teachers, nurses, doctors to get vaccinated. The security and safety of our country depend on you being vaccinated. I must commend the over 26,000 adults who have already taken their first dose of the vaccine. The parents and guardians who have taken their children to be vaccinated are also to be commended. Even more students should get vaccinated before the end of the school term,” said Prime Minister Harris.
The vaccination roll-out is now targeting school children in an effort to prevent any further disruption of learning due to COVID-19. The Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is being used for children above the age of 12 years old and Prime Minister Harris stated that only through vaccination can we ensure the safety and protection of our children from COVID-19.
“Finally, a gentle reminder that our economy will only achieve its full potential through disciplined action by every one of us. Each of us should encourage everyone 12 years and older to get vaccinated for their own protection and for the protection of all in the country. We are in this together. None of us is safe until all of us are safe. I invite every teacher, teaching assistant, everyone in our school compounds to get vaccinated. We should avoid the spread of COVID-19 in our schools and the disruption of teaching and learning in our educational institutions. The best way to do this is by vaccination,” said Prime Minister Harris.
Most recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 to include children five through 11 years old. The authorization was based on the FDA’s thorough and transparent evaluation of the data that included input from independent advisory committee experts who overwhelmingly voted in favor of making the vaccine available to children in this age group.
