Sir Molwyn congratulates public for vaccine compliance and boasts that Antigua & Barbuda leads the OECS in inoculation

The Minister of Health, Sir Molwyn Joseph, is commending residents for complying with the Government’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

Joseph says that Antigua & Barbuda now leads the OECS in terms of the percentage of its population that has been fully vaccinated.

Based on the recent uptick in vaccinations, he says, the country will likely get to its target of herd immunity by the end of the year.

Ironically, some international experts recently voiced their belief that herd immunity is no longer achievable – given not only the spread of the virus, but its mutations.  In fact, the likelihood of persons having to take a third jab – and, possibly, successive shots – is being seriously considered.

However, Sir Molwyn says the Cabinet made the right decision with regard to the mandate – in spite of ridicule, even from regional counterparts, some of whom considered the measure to be draconian.

As of October 1, the Administration made it a policy that all Government workers, inclusive of teachers, must be vaccinated in order to access their workplaces.  Staff of the government-run hospital have been excepted from the mandate, however.