Antigua & Barbuda announces COVID-19 booster vaccine programme

ST JOHN’S – Antigua & Barbuda Minister of Health, Wellness, and the Environment, Sir Molwyn Joseph said his Ministry will begin the administering of COVID-19 booster vaccines to specific groups, starting Monday.

In making the announcement on Saturday, Joseph said the policy was being implemented by the government on the heels of recommendations made by the National COVID-19 Vaccination Technical Working Group and Senior Medical Technicians within the ministry.

He said the additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccines will be administered to the most vulnerable and at-risk groups within the society in the first instance. These include healthcare providers such as doctors, nurses, radiologists, pharmacist, and emergency medical technicians.

Focus will also be placed on immuno-compromised individuals such as cancer patients, renal dialysis, and transplant patients, people living with HIV/AIDS, and people receiving immune-suppressive therapy.

Once the vaccine programme progresses, citizens and residents 60 years and over will be prioritised, including those people living in long-term care facilities.

To be considered eligible for the booster vaccine, an individual must have received their second dose of a two-dose vaccine or a single dose of a one-dose vaccine at least six months ago.

(CMC)