Students in Antigua and Barbuda to be given booster dose on priority basis

Saint John’s: The booster shots are currently being administered in Antigua and Barbuda across all the COVID-19 vaccination sites, to which priority is being given to the students. The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Environment noted the booster shots are accessible to people at the Multipurpose Cultural and Exhibition Centre and Villa Polyclinic.  

These vaccination centres operate from Monday to Thursday, from 9 am to 5 pm, and from 9 am to 3 pm on Friday. Meanwhile, persons walking in to get their booster shots are required to present their original COVID-19 vaccine card paper as well as valid identification. The eligible minors arriving at the vaccination centres to obtain their booster jab must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian.  

The ministry further informed the general public that individuals who received their final dose of AstraZeneca COVID vaccine in the month of May – October 2021 are eligible to take the booster shot of the same vaccine or either of Pzifer as the alternative vaccine.  

While, individuals who are of 18 year and older, who received their required doses with Pzifer vaccine are eligible to take the booster shot of the same after a time interval of 5 months. Children between the age group of 12 to 17 years are being recommended to take a booster dose of the Pzifer vaccine after five months of the time interval. 

Those who have taken the Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine in the month of May – November 2021 are recommended to take the booster shot of the Pzifer vaccine or of Johnson and Johnson as the alternative. 

Persons inoculated with the required number of Sinopharm vaccine doses are being recommended to take their booster shot of the same vaccine after a time interval of 6 months.  

Following is the list of health centres who are administering the booster as well as routine COVID-19 doses: 

• Browne’s Avenue Health centre: 562-3076
• All Saints Health Centre: 460 -1003
• Bishop Gate Health Centre: 462-0501
• Jennings Health Centre: 462-6304
• Gray’s Farm Health Centre:462- 0681
• Clare Hall Health Centre: 462-4137
• Barbuda (Hanna Thomas Hospital): 462-0076