5000th COVID-19 vaccine administered at the Belair Community Center

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) – On Thursday, March 18, the vaccination campaign against the COVID-19 virus reached another milestone. At the Belair Community Center, the 5000th vaccine was administered to 68-year-old, Rudy Peter St. Luis.

Originally from Dominica but calls Sint Maarten his home for the past 49 years, St. Luis main reason for taking the vaccine is that he expects that they're going to require a person to be vaccinated in order to be able to travel in the future, and he would like to travel again. He would like to encourage those who are still doubtful of taking the vaccine to take it: ''It didn't hurt at all, and I feel normal, so I will tell all my friends to come by and take it too.''

The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA) Collective Prevention Services (CPS) is currently vaccinating the second priority risk group, consisting of persons 60 years and older. The total amount of registrations is gradually increasing. However, the number of registered people 60 years and older are still low. The Vaccination Management Team (VMT) hopes this number will grow as this group is most at risk of the severe side effects from the COVID-19 disease.

Persons in this priority risk group are encouraged to register because the Pfizer vaccine is especially effective within this age group. A low number of registrations might affect the next supply of vaccines coming from the Netherlands. The Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine is shown to be effective against the British COVID-19 variant, of which there are known cases on the island. This variant has caused a sudden peak rise in active cases and hospitalizations in for example Aruba.

CPS reminds the community that although active cases currently are relatively low, persons should remain cautious and practice COVID-19 public health safety guidelines.

The CPS and the VMT hope that others will also register to take the vaccine just like Mr. St. Luis and 5000 other fellow Sint Maarteners. You can still register, even if your 'priority group' has not been called. The more registrations received, the easier and faster the VMT can plan the appointments and request the next shipment of vaccines from the Netherlands.

Registration can be done via the online registration form which is available in English, Spanish, and Creole, and can be found via the following link: https://forms.sintmaartengov.org/form.aspx?v=OGtn05kNmb

If you have a friend, parent, neighbor, or relative that may need assistance with registration, transportation, or emotional support, CPS asks the community to 'please do your part'. More information about the vaccine or help with the registration process will also be provided by the Cole Bay Community Helpdesk and Dutch Quarter Community Helpdesk which are currently equipped to help you with this between 8:30 AM and 12:30 PM from Monday to Friday. Do not forget to bring a form of identification.

Organizations who would like to organize an information session for their employees can contact the following email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The paper-based “COVID Vaccine Registration Form” can be picked up at several locations, including CPS at the Vineyard Office Park Building, the Division of Labor Affairs at the Simpson Bay Public Service Center in Simpson Bay, doctors’ offices, the Government Administration Building, and select pharmacies.

If you need help with the registration process, your appointment, or wish for more information about the vaccination campaign, you can also call CPS at 914 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sint Maarten, protected together.