Aruba – The Caribbean part of the Kingdom is on track to – as planned – start vaccinating against COVID-19 around February 15, 2021. RIVM prepares the first shipments of vaccines. For Saba and St. Eustatius, this concerns a first delivery of the Moderna vaccine. For Bonaire and the CAS countries (Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten), this first phase concerns vaccines from BioNTech / Pfizer.

Minister Zita Jesus-Leito (Curaçao), Minister Danguillaume Oduber (Aruba), Minister Richard Panneflek (Sint Maarten) and State Secretary Paul Blokhuis (Netherlands) have jointly confirmed in their four countries in consultation that all adults in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom want to offer the possibility to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The ministers conclude with vaccination man Marc Sprenger that many people involved are working very hard on all islands to be ready in time for the implementation of the vaccination campaign and that it is very hopeful that the first batches of vaccine can be delivered around 15 February. This also creates extra perspective for the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the end of the corona crisis.

Vaccination counselor On behalf of State Secretary Paul Blokhuis (VWS), vaccination counselor Dr. Marc Sprenger (former DG RIVM) assists the islands and islands of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom to be able to start vaccinating in time. The vaccination officer visited all islands together with the RIVM to discuss progress with all local stakeholders. The necessary equipment has been provided and the personnel involved have been trained in cold chain and vaccine management. The vaccination authority and the RIVM have established a number of action points per island. If these are met, the vaccination programs will start.

Moderna and BioNTech / Pfizer On Bonaire, Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten, the BioNTech / Pfizer vaccine is offered to healthcare workers and people over 60 years of age in the first phase of vaccination. In order to work as efficiently as possible and to minimize vaccine waste, the Moderna vaccine is offered to all adults in one go on the small islands of Saba and St. Eustatius.

The vaccines for the first phase will be delivered and distributed in several deliveries.