by Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Since the arrival of the Pfizer vaccines on August 12, the question on everyone’s mind was; when will the vaccine be available?
Prime Minister the Hon. Dr Timothy Harris announced the date during his press conference on August 24.
“On September 1, we will begin to administer the Pfizer Vaccine. I must remind everyone that the Pfizer vaccine will be available to every individual 12 years and older,” said the Dr Harris
The U.S. Government donated 11,700 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, one of three shipments totalling 35,100 doses expected in the Federation.
The announcement of the roll-out comes on the heels of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine becoming a full-fledged COVID-19 vaccine by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. The first non-emergency use vaccine on the market.
“The Pfizer/BioNTech has stepped up. It’s no longer under an emergency use listing authorisation. It has now received full approval, so it’s no longer experimental; it’s a fully approved COVID-19 vaccine. And so ladies and gentlemen, it is with pleasure that I say to you that this vaccine… you will be able to access this vaccine right here in the Federation starting September 1,” shared Chief Medical Office, Dr Hazel Laws.
According to the Associated Press, Moderna has also applied to the FDA for full approval of its vaccine. Johnson & Johnson, maker of the third option in the U.S., said it hopes to do so later this year.
