 The government of St. Lucia recently received 24,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for the Covax facility. This shipment of the AstraZeneca vaccine was made possible for the Pan-American Health Organization PAHO and WHO. Minister for Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs at the Honourable Moses Jabhatis says the government remains committed to make vaccines readily available to the population. The focus is to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines. While St. Lucia will receive its initial supply, the country will procure additional vaccines to ensure everyone who needs the vaccine receives it. St. Lucia has received two installments, totaling 50,400 doses. This third installment of 24,000 doses will provide vaccines to cover approximately 6% of the population as the ministry continues steadfast in its fight against this pandemic. The minister also encouraged St. Lucia to visit the various vaccination sites and get vaccinated to protect themselves from the COVID-19 virus. National Immunization Manager Tecla Jabhatis spoke on the effectiveness of vaccines in fighting the COVID-19 virus and says the goal for St. Lucia is to reach population immunity. The availability of safe and effective vaccines is the opportunity for us to regain some measure of normalcy. Vaccines undoubtedly is the most cost-effective public health strategy to combat this pandemic and to decrease the burden of disease in our small countries, St. Lucia. There is no doubt that the vaccines that we have received today from the COVAX facility will be a real support and assistance towards achieving our goal. The COVAX facility is a global partnership between the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, CEPI, GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, the Pan-American Health Organization, and the World Health Organization. Reporting from the Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs, I am Farnal Neptune.