By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 3rd September 2021) — Minister of Education Jonel Powell explained on WINNFM’s ‘Island Tea’ on Wednesday 1st September 2021 why the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for ages 12 and older would not be administered through schools: “Unlike with AstraZeneca, the Pfizer vaccine needs a much colder environment — it needs to be stored at -80 degrees — so the facilities to maintain that are limited and that’s why we can’t really do it through the schools.” Parents are being encouraged to take their children to the various health centres instead.
At the same day’s NEOC briefing, CMO Dr. Hazel Laws announced the rollout of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine began that morning at the Newtown Health Centre in St. Kitts and the Charlestown Health Centre in Nevis. The vaccine was fully approved by the US FDA. Dr. Laws detailed its efficacy: a two-dose regimen given 21 days apart confers approximately 95% protection against symptomatic COVID in persons aged 16 and over; in adolescents aged 12–15, clinical trial data showed 100% efficacy was achieved; effectiveness against hospitalisation is estimated at 87%; and efficacy against the Delta variant is estimated at 88%. The Federation received approximately 11,700 doses in the first of three tranches donated by the US government. The vaccine must be administered by appointment only due to the strict cold-chain requirements, with a minimum of 14 days between this vaccine and any other vaccine. It is safe for older persons, those with underlying conditions including diabetes, hypertension, asthma, liver and kidney disease, pregnant and lactating women, persons living with HIV, immunocompromised persons, and persons previously diagnosed with COVID-19. The new school year was slated to begin in the second week of September 2021.