 The national vaccination campaign will ramp up in the coming weeks as the Ministry of Health administers the second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine. Some 22,839 Saint Lucians have received their first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine. They include frontliners elderly and persons with underlying conditions. Among them is registered nurse Natalie John. She spoke about her reasons for vaccination during Wednesday's ceremony that welcomed the co-vax shipment of AstraZeneca. Having a first-hand look on how COVID-19 symptoms presents itself, I made a conscious decision to take the vaccine to reduce my risk of contracting severe COVID. The vaccine is to reduce the risk to my family, my co-workers and my community because life does not entail me, but consists of those I interact with on a daily basis. I would honestly encourage those who have not taken the vaccine to please do so. Let us do our part to protect each other and those we love. Meantime, Delta Benjamin, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 on January 15th, 2021, told the audience that as an asymptomatic patient, she was concerned about transmitting the virus to others and so followed the rules diligently. Having been clad two months after diagnosis, Delta received her first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine. After educating myself, I said nothing is stopping me. I will go ahead with this. I took the first dose, but guess what? It wasn't as friendly to me. I got every side effect in the books. But needless to say, guess what? I'm excited about those two. And whatever it brings to the table, I will take it because I did this and I'm doing this for me. My loved ones and for my simply beautiful St. Lucia. St. Lucia has received 24,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.