Over 17,674 persons have been vaccinated in the Commonwealth of Dominica, however, according to health officials, this is a long way off if the country is to achieve herd immunity.
Head of the Health Promotion Unit, Mignon Rolle Shillingford said, “While we hoped that the numbers would have been significantly greater at this time, we at the Ministry of Health are thankful and would like to say a humongous thank you to all of the public who have taken the vaccine and have by that measure started our journey to achieving herd immunity”.
She thanked all the establishments and institutions who participated in the vaccination roll-out and who motivated and facilitated employees to do so.
Shillingford also thanked the politicians and other community leaders who took the vaccine and encouraged them to share the reasons they took the vaccine with their loved ones and those that they represent so that they too can be empowered to take the vaccines.
She encouraged all to continue spreading correct information and educating and motivating others to participate in the Vaccination roll-out until herd immunity is achieved.
Shillingford addressed those in the population who are hesitant to take the vaccine.
She said, “Vaccines are a simple, safe and effective way of preventing spread of infectious diseases. Side effects are usually minor and they have been around for centuries. They are also responsible for the elimination and reduction of several infectious diseases in the world today…Even if the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) did an emergency use of a number of vaccines, there are some development stages that all vaccines must go through…”
Shillingford argued that the vaccines were made quickly because the science was already been studied as this is not the first time that the world has been affected by a Coronavirus. She said that scientists had predicted that a respiratory disease would return and have a significant impact on the world.
Shillingford clarified that if vaccinated persons do contract the virus they will not get a severe form of Covid-19 that will require hospitalization. She cited that the UK is presently experiencing a 94% drop in hospitalizations as a result of 35 million persons being vaccinated.
Shillingford also stated that research is showing a reduce in viral loads and shedding in persons who have taken the vaccine causing a reduction in transmission of the virus in the amount of 67%, meaning that the vaccine does reduce the possibility of transmission.
Shillingford pressed that if persons are concerned about mutations of the virus, since we are the hosts causing the spread from person to person then we should get vaccinated.
According to her, the vaccines on island has a higher that 79% efficacy rate, therefore Dominicans should have no fear in participating in the vaccination roll-out and helping the country to achieve herd immunity.
