Haiti was the last country in the Western Hemisphere to receive a COVID vaccine supply. Thankfully, half a million COVID vaccine doses arrived in late July – but shortly thereafter a 7.2 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti, delaying the start of vaccination efforts.
Just four weeks ago, Hôpital Albert Schweitzer gained clearance from the Haitian Ministry of Health to administer COVID vaccines.
Working quickly, HAS first vaccinated frontline medical workers and began a community awareness campaign to prepare for our vaccination campaign rollout.
The HAS team administered an amazing 7,449 COVID-19 vaccine first doses in 23 days!
Vaccination stations were set up at the hospital and each of our four community health centers, while mobile vaccination teams deployed in the community to administer as many vaccines as possible in a short time frame. It has taken a concerted effort every single day to administer these life-saving doses.
Photos below share some of the story of HAS’s first wave of our COVID Vaccination Campaign. Efforts will continue immediately with second doses to those already vaccinated. When a new vaccine supply arrives and we receive authorization, HAS stands ready to begin the cycle again!
Mobile vaccine teams from HAS brought COVID vaccines out into the community to reach as many people as possible. Enthusiasm was high to queue up to receive first dose protection.
Thousands of women and men received a first COVID vaccine dose.
Each person vaccinated received a vaccination card to document the date of the first dose – and an appointment was made for the second dose.
Stacks of vaccine cards are ready for use when the next supply of COVID vaccine doses arrives at HAS.
Our oldest daughter has been accepted to attend school in the US. Angie will turn 17 in May, is she eligible to receive a Covid vaccination?
Gary
Yes! She will be eligible once she has turned 17. Many thanks Gary!