All Grenadian residents and citizens should get vaccinated. The vaccine will help protect you from getting COVID-19. If you still get infected after you get vaccinated, the vaccine may prevent serious illness. By getting vaccinated, you may also help protect your family, coworkers, and friends.
The vaccine encourages the body to create copies of the spike protein found on the coronavirus’s surface. It “teaches” your body’s immune system to fight the virus with that specific spike protein on it.
The vaccine used in Grenada requires two doses. The first shot helps the immune system recognize the virus, and the second shot strengthens the immune response. You need both to get the best protection that lasts longest.
Vaccination takes place daily (Monday – Friday) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at all health centres in Grenada and Carriacou.
There is no cost for COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccination is open to all residents and citizens of Grenada who are over the age of 18.
Yes, it is important to keep up with personal hygiene practices like covering the mouth and nose with a mask, washing hands often, and staying at least 6 feet away from others even after vaccination. We need to develop herd immunity (80% of the Grenadian population vaccinated) before we can safely stop wearing masks.
All COVID-19 vaccines were tested in clinical trials involving tens of thousands of people to make sure they meet safety standards and protect adults of different ages, races, and ethnicities.
The information from these clinical trials allowed the World Health Organization (WHO) to determine the vaccines’ safety and effectiveness.
Possible side effects lasting 24-48 hours include a sore arm, fever, body aches, fatigue, headaches or a combination of these symptoms. These side effects are signs that the vaccine is working to build immunity and preparing to fight the coronavirus if you catch it.
If they don’t go away in a week, or you have more serious symptoms, please contact your doctor.
No. The COVID-19 vaccines used in Grenada have been authorized for use by the World Health Organization, and do not use the live virus that causes COVID-19.
Yes. COVID-19 vaccination is especially important for people with underlying health conditions like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or obesity. People with these conditions are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
For most people with allergies, yes. However, if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in a COVID-19 vaccine, you should not get that vaccine or any COVID-19 vaccine.
If you have had an immediate allergic reaction of any severity to other vaccines or injectable therapies, speak to your doctor so that they may help you decide if it is safe for you to get vaccinated. You may still get vaccinated if you have severe allergies to oral medications, food, pets, insect stings, latex, or environmental irritants like pollen or dust.
One dose (0.5 ml) contains:
- L-histidine
- L-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate
- magnesium chloride hexahydrate
- polysorbate 80
- ethanol
- sucrose
- sodium chloride
- disodium edetate dihydrate
- water for injections
Yes. WHO recommends that you get vaccinated even if you have already had COVID-19, because you can become infected again.
No. It is not known how long protection lasts for those who get infected or for those who are vaccinated. What we do know is that COVID-19 has caused very serious illness and death for over 2.6 million people worldwide. If you get COVID-19, you also risk giving it to loved ones who may get very sick. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer choice.
Not yet. The vaccine used in Grenada has been authorized for use in adults 18 years of age or over at the moment.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you might be pregnant, or are trying to have a baby, speak to your doctor before deciding to be vaccinated. There is limited data on the use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Your doctor will discuss with you whether you can be given the vaccine.
You can report possible adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination to the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Manager, at the Ministry of Health via telephone (473) 440.2649/3485 (Ext: 21053) or (473) 416-0385