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The V.I. Dept. of Health said Wednesday that with the recent surge of Covid-19 caused by the Delta variant in the territory, which affects adults and children, it strongly suggests children age 12 and older get vaccinated as the most effective means of preventing severe illness and death related to the virus.
D.O.H. said Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Tai Hunte-Ceasar has seen firsthand the effects Covid-19 has had on the Virgin Islands community. “With 21 individuals hospitalized within the territory yesterday, including 2 pediatric admissions ages 9 and 13, it is critical for everyone ages 12 and older to take advantage of the vaccines available to the VI community to end this surge and to prevent needless hospitalizations, death, and longterm Covid-19 complications,” stated Hunte-Ceasar.
The Pfizer vaccine is available for children ages 12 to 15, D.O.H. said;. For children 16 and older, the Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen vaccines are available. Children who are unable to get vaccinated because they do not meet the age requirements rely on the adults around them to get vaccinated for Covid-19. Children ages 12 and up can be vaccinated for protection against this deadly virus. When adults get vaccinated they not only protect themselves, but they protect their family, D.O.H. said.
The department said anyone who meets the age requirements can get the Covid-19 vaccine from either of the Community Vaccination Centers in both districts. On St. Croix, the Community Vaccination Center is located at the Nissan Center which is in La Grande Princesse, adjacent to the Honda Dealership and The Paint Shop, on the same side of the street as Food Town.
On St. Thomas, the Community Vaccination Center is located at the Community Health Clinic on the 2nd floor at the Schneider Regional Medical Center. Appointments can be scheduled by calling (340) 777-8227 or online at covid19usvi.com/vaccines. Children age 12 and older must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and must bring identification for themself and the child as well as the child’s birth certificate.
Aside from the Covid-19 vaccine, parents and guardians are urged to maintain annual vaccinations for children. "Please confer with your primary pediatric healthcare provider to ensure children are in line with receiving their annual vaccinations for the 2021-2022 school year," the health department said.
