THE GOVERNMENT of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) last Friday, July 8 received more than 4,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from the US government.

The consignment of children’s vaccines was handed over to the Ministry of Health,Wellness and the Environment during a short ceremony at the Argyle International Airport, a release from the Agency for Public Information states.

Ambassador of the United States of America (USA) to Barbados and the OECS, Linda Taglialatela said at the ceremony that the USA has long standing ties with SVG and their effort to assist in combatting COVID-19 is indicative of this relationship.

“We all live in the same neighbourhood and if we are all secure and safe then it is good for all of us,” the ambassador said.

Minister of state in the office of the prime minister with responsibility for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Keisal Peters commended the USA for their “unwavering support”, noting that St.Vincent and the Grenadines has been a beneficiary from USAID in their relief efforts to support this country through the volcanic eruption and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister of Health, St. Clair Prince also speaking at the ceremony said his ministry has taken a strategic approach in dealing with COVID-19 which includes risk communication, early detection and containment of the virus.

The vaccines are meant for children 5-11 years old and is in keeping with the Government’s overall thrust to reduce the incidences of COVID-19 among children.