The British Virgin Islands (BVI) has updated the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) on the rollout of the Government’s COVID-19 vaccination programme at the regional organisation’s Inaugural Meeting of the ACS Multi-Stakeholder Task Force on COVID-19 held virtually on March 8.

Director of the International Affairs Secretariat, Ms. Najan Christopher, represented the Territory on behalf of the Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone, and told the regional body 15% of our population has been vaccinated. She said that it is anticipated that the Territory would have passed the 70% threshold within the next two months.

Ms. Christopher said, “We have generously received shipments of the AstraZenica COVID-19 vaccine from the UK Government and also from the Commonwealth of Dominica. We are grateful to both. We are also procuring additional doses under the COVAX facility.”

Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone while commenting on the BVI’s update at the ACS meeting said he was pleased that the Territory’s regional partners are now aware of the status of the BVI’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

Honourable Malone said, “Our ongoing vaccine rollout will dramatically reduce the health risks posed to the public by the virus. Achieving the 70 percent vaccination threshold among the population will have a positive effect both socially and economically on the society. Greater health security will improve our economic outlook and

The BVI delegation included Director of the International Affairs Secretariat Ms. Najan Christopher, Assistant Secretary for External Affairs Ms. Dwynel Davis, Programme Officer Ms. Xyrah Wheatley and Special Envoy of the Premier Mr. Benito Wheatley.

The BVI is an Associate Member of the Association of Caribbean States.

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Attached: Photo of a delegation of officials from the Government of the Virgin Islands present at the Terrence B. Lettsome International Airport on March 7 to receive 2000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines from the Government of Dominica.