PHILIPSBURG--In a meeting between the Ministers of Health of the four countries in the kingdom on March 23, Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Richard Panneflek, decided in consultation with the Netherlands, that St. Maarten will now offer the coronavirus COVID-19 vaccine to all residents who are 18 years plus residing on the Dutch side of the island.
In the five weeks since the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine, only medical front line workers, persons 60 years and older and persons 18-59 years of age with underlying medical conditions were eligible to receive the vaccine.
“Essential workers and all other persons above the age of 18 years can now be vaccinated,” the Vaccine Management Team (VMT) announced in a press release on Wednesday. “However, the vulnerable priority groups mentioned above will still get precedence once they register.”
The decision to include all persons above the age of 18 is due to the fact that the vaccination campaign needs to be scaled up if the country wants to reach the goal of vaccinating 70 per cent of the population before the start of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season.
According to the release, the numbers for the amount of persons 60 years plus that have registered still remains low, which is a reason for concern as this group has the highest risk of developing severe COVID-19 infection.
Another concern is the increasing infection rates on Curaçao and Bonaire due to the more contagious United Kingdom (UK) variant. “This variant has been identified on St. Maarten, and therefore, there is a need to protect our population against the COVID-19 virus has become even more important,” said the release.
Pre-registration for the vaccine is strongly recommended. Once registered, persons will receive a date, time, and location for their vaccination. Panneflek and the VMT encourages all Dutch side residents 18 years and older to register. There will be sufficient vaccines available to cover 85 per cent of the population.
Members of the community are reminded to register for the COVID-19 vaccine. Registration can be done via the online registration form which is available in English, Spanish, and Creole, and can be found via this link: https://forms.sintmaartengov.org/form.aspx?v=OGtn05kNmb.
Both the Cole Bay and Dutch Quarter Community Help Desks are currently equipped to provide information and can assist with registration on the spot. Persons are urged to check the opening hours and bring a form of identification. The paper-based “COVID Vaccine Registration Form” can be picked up at several locations, including the Collective Prevention Services (CPS) at the Vineyard Office Park Building, the Division of Labor Affairs at the Simpson Bay Public Service Center, doctors’ offices, the Government Administration Building and select pharmacies.
“If you have a friend, parent, neighbour, or relative that may need assistance with registration, transportation, or emotional support, please do your part,” the VMT encouraged.
Persons who may need help with the registration process, their appointment, or wish for more information about the vaccination campaign can call CPS at 914 or e-mail: vaccination@sintmaartengov.org
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/vsa-expands-covid-19-vaccine-to-persons-18-years-and-older
