WILLEMSTAD - Curaçao starts Wednesday, February 24 with the vaccination process against corona.
Initially, people over the age of 60 will be called up and also people who work in the healthcare sector. Interim Minister of Public Health Zita Jesus-Leito announced this during a press conference that was held today at Fort Amsterdam. She is happy that Curaçao can start the vaccination process as one of the first countries in the Caribbean.
On Wednesday, Curaçao received 18,720 vaccinations from the Netherlands. According to Jesus-Leito, more information will be given to the population about the vaccination process in the coming days.
According to the minister, the Kingdom has come a long way. There is cooperation with the Netherlands and the other islands. Jesus-Leito says to continue in the same direction. The vaccines will create a certain degree of resistance on the island.
“Our way of life will be affected by the vaccinations. There are people for and people against. Everyone can make their own decision, everyone has their own responsibility,” says the minister.
It is a major operation to make sure everyone gets vaccinated. The government has taken the responsibility. The Netherlands has given a guarantee that sufficient vaccinations will be available. Yesterday, Jesus-Leito and also the Prime Minister received a presentation on what to consider when vaccinating.
Care after the vaccination has also been considered. Jesus-Leito appeals to the entire community to make a responsible decision whether to be vaccinated or not.
According to the government, people who have a low resistance or a chronic disease can also be vaccinated. Young people under 18 and pregnant women will not be vaccinated. People with an allergy to any component in the vaccine are also not vaccinated. There is a website where all the components are described.
As was announced earlier the vaccinations take place in the old hospital building, the Sehos. There will be two injection sites. One is at the entrance next to Pieters restaurant and the other opposite the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) on Pater Euwensweg.
The vaccination is free and voluntary. Those who want to be vaccinated can register starting tomorrow.
Starting tomorrow the website www.bakuna.cw will be online and more information can be obtained. Also it is possible to register through that website to get the vaccination.
The telephone number 9345 can also be used to request more information about COVID-19 and vaccination.