by Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): – St. Kitts and Nevis is expected to receive a shipment of vaccines from the Government of India.
So say the India’s High Commissioner to St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, and Guyana Dr. K J Srinivasa.
” So we are coordinating 500,000 vaccines for the region, out of which Barbados and Dominica have already got their share… But we are expecting vaccines to arrive in St. Kitts and Nevis,” shared Dr. Srinivasa.
As stated, 500,000 doses have been earmarked for the CARICOM region; however, no clear indication was given as to the amount specified for St. Kitts and Nevis. He further indicated that he has been in conversation with the Government officials and can assure that the amount will be sufficient.’
All of this is part of India’s Vaccine Friendship initiative that has seen India donate 6.5 million doses of vaccine to over 15 countries, with 25 countries in the queue for their donations. Dr. Srinivasa also reported that 16.5 million doses have also been sold commercially through India.
In dispelling reports about the people of India not willing to take the vaccines, Dr. Srinivasa offered these scientific findings in terms of dosage and efficacy.
“Scientifically it has been shown that if you take two full doses that if you take two full doses it will be 63 percent effective. But if you take half a dose and then take a full dose, basically one and a half dose, it is 91 percent effective. And the efficacy increases once you increase the distance, the time period between the two doses. So now I think they are planning to give doses between 8-12 weeks after the first dose,” reported Dr. Srinivasa.
In responding to a question about future India and Caribbean relations, Dr. Srinivasa stated that there is more that can be expected and highlighted some of the aid they have previously provided.
“When the COVID started we also offered US$1 million for use by the government in the Caribbean region for upgrading their health infrastructure. We gave emergency medicines worth US$100,000 to St. Kitts and Nevis. We approved a project for US$300,000 for the COVID pandemic… projects… US$700,000 is still pending, we are waiting for their projects approval.”
