Montserrat Vaccination

FAQ

COVID-19 can have serious, life-threatening complication and can result in death. Unfortunately, there is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you. Also, if you get sick, you could spread the disease to friends, family, and others around you. Vaccination decreases your risk of contracting the disease and spreading it to others. Vaccination also, improves our community’s health. Through vaccination the majority of us can build immunity to COVID-19 this immunity will then extend to other who cannot be vaccinated.

The Oxford- AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine combines a weakened adenovirus (cold virus) with a protein from the COVID -19 virus. This stimulates the body’s natural defenses (immune system). It causes the body to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the virus. This will help to protect you against COVID-19 in the future.

The vaccine is reported to be approximately 70% effective against COVID-19.

None of the ingredients in this vaccine can cause COVID-19. Of the over 20, 000 volunteers who participated in the vaccine study none developed severe COVID-19 infection or required hospitalization from COVID-19.

None of the ingredients in this vaccine can cause COVID-19. Of the over 20, 000 volunteers who participated in the vaccine study none developed severe COVID-19 infection or required hospitalization from COVID-19.

Prior to 2020 Oxford University researchers had already done a lot of work on developing a vaccine which could be adapted to tackle different diseases. Additionally, the family Coronavirus was not new to researchers. so scientists were able to draw from existing research and vaccines created for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). That meant a lot of the building blocks were already in place, and scientists weren't starting from scratch. Vaccine research and trials were conducted as normal however, trials were conducted simultaneously, significantly decreasing the time from research to production and distribution.

Like all medicines, this vaccine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. In clinical studies with the vaccine, most side effects were mild to moderate in nature and resolved within a few days with some still present a week after vaccination. If side effects such as pain and/or fever are troublesome, medicines containing paracetamol can be taken. Side effects that occurred during clinical trials with Oxford- AstraZeneca COVID 19 Vaccine were as follows: Very Common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
  • tenderness, pain, warmth, redness, itching, swelling or bruising where the injection is given
  • generally feeling unwell
  • feeling tired (fatigue)
  • chills or feeling feverish
  • headache
  • feeling sick (nausea)
  • joint pain or muscle ache Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
  • a lump at the injection site
  • fever
  • being sick (vomiting)
  • flu-like symptoms, such as high temperature, sore throat, runny nose, cough and chills Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
  • feeling dizzy
  • decreased appetite
  • abdominal pain
  • enlarged lymph nodes
  • excessive sweating, itchy skin or rash In clinical trials there were 3 reports of events associated with inflammation of the nervous system, which may cause numbness, pins and needles, and/or loss of feeling. However, it is not confirmed whether these events were due to the vaccine.

No. The Government of Montserrat has not made it mandatory for citizens or residents of Montserrat to be vaccinated against COVID- 19. However, The Ministry of Health encourages residents to consider personal risk of severe infection, medical history, future travel plans, the health and safety of our most vulnerable and the national development of Montserrat when considering vaccination. Residents must all do their part in preventing COVID- 19 infection.

The Government of Montserrat is committed to equitable distribution of the COVID-19 Vaccine. As such, there is no fee for vaccination for any resident of Montserrat.

In an effort to protect our most vulnerable and those at highest risk of infection the vaccine will first be offered to: • older adults over the age of 60. Particular those with Non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. • Persons who work in closely with the elderly such as care – givers • Frontline workers such as doctors, nurses and other health staff, police, fire and rescue and the defense force. Once these prioritized groups have been given a chance to be vaccinated the vaccine will immediately be offered to all other resident above the age of 18.

Registration is simple. Contact the Health Centre of your choice and provide them with your name, date of birth, and contact number. The clinic will provide you with an appointment date and time for your first dose of the vaccine. St. John’s: 491-5218 Cudjoe Head: 491-5258 St. Peter’s: 491-5436 Salem: 491-5256

The Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) is focused on building robust and transformative approaches to providing a better health system for Montserrat; one that is integrated and equitable.

MontserratMOH

E.Karney Osborne Building, Little Bay, Montserrat
664-491-2880/2881
mehcsmail@gov.ms

You May Also Register By

Calling any of the health centres below:

  • St. John’s: 491-5218
  • Cudjoe Head: 491-5258
  • St. Peter’s: 491-5436
  • Salem: 491-5256

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