THE HAGUE - The Caribbean part of the Kingdom is on track to start vaccinating against COVID-19 around February 15, 2021, as planned. RIVM (The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) prepares the first shipments of vaccines. For Saba and St. Eustatius, this concerns a first delivery of the Moderna vaccine. For Bonaire and the CAS countries (Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten), this first phase concerns vaccines from BioNTech / Pfizer.
Minister Zita Jesus-Leito (Curaçao), Minister Danguillaume Oduber (Aruba), Minister Richard Panneflek (Sint Maarten) and Undersecretary Paul Blokhuis (Netherlands) have jointly confirmed in their four countries that all adults in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom will have the possibility to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The ministers conclude with vaccination man Marc Sprenger that many people involved are working hard on all islands to be ready in time for the implementation of the vaccination campaign. It is very hopeful that the first batches of vaccine can be delivered around 15 February. This also creates extra perspective for the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the end of the corona crisis. The aim is to complete the vaccination campaign in all countries and islands before the start of the hurricane season.
Commissioned by Undersecretary Paul Blokhuis (VWS), vaccination officer Dr Marc Sprenger (former Director RIVM) assists the islands of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom to be able to start vaccinating on time. The vaccination officer visited all islands together with the RIVM to discuss progress with all local stakeholders. The necessary equipment has been provided and the personnel involved have been trained in cold chain and vaccine management. The vaccination authority and the RIVM have established several action points per island. If these are met, the vaccination programs will start.
On Bonaire, Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten, the BioNTech / Pfizer vaccine is offered to healthcare workers and people over 60 years of age in the first phase of vaccination. In order to work as efficiently as possible and to minimize vaccine waste, the Moderna vaccine is offered to all adults in one go on the small islands of Saba and St. Eustatius.
The vaccines for the first phase will be delivered and distributed in several deliveries.