News
| Apr 6, 2021

Barbados secures more AstraZeneca vaccines through COVAX delivery

Gavin Riley

Gavin Riley / Our Today

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Reading Time: 2 minutes
All smiles in Bridgetown, Barbados, as the COVAX Facility makes its first delivery to the island on April 6. Barbados received 33,600 doses of the AstraZeneca jab, through the World Health Organization (WHO)-backed vaccine distribution mechanism. (Photo: Facebook @SupportMiaMottley)

Barbados today (April 6) received its first shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines from the COVAX Facility, becoming the sixth Caribbean country to do so since deliveries began in March.

Barbados, accepting its 33,600 opening instalment of doses, is the first of five Caribbean countries to get shipments on Tuesday, ahead of the Dominican Republic, Bermuda, Dominica as well as St Kitts and Nevis.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley, on hand as the highly sought drugs landed safely at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Bridgetown, said in a brief Facebook post that the vaccines arrived around 7:00 am Atlantic Standard Time (AST).

She was also joined by Health and Wellness Minister Jeffery Bostic, Chief Medical Officer Dr Kenneth George as well as high-ranking officials from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Canadian High Commission, European Union, United Nations, among others.

Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley delivering her remarks as the island received its first instalment of vaccines through the COVAX Facility on April 6. (Photo: Facebook @SupportMiaMottley)

Barbados, which has so far vaccinated 63,738 persons, has received 133,600 doses of the AstraZeneca shot.

The Government of India, through its Vaccine Maitri initiative, donated 100,000 doses to the island in February.

Tags
AstraZeneca Vaccine Barbados Coronavirus Pandemic COVAX Facility Government of India Minister Jeffery Bostic Pan American Health Organization Prime Minister Mia Mottley vaccine distribution

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