Health Dept. announces chikungunya vaccine availability

More Information The vaccine is available at the following locations: St. Croix – 2nd Floor, former Caribe Home Center Building, in Castle Coakley. Vaccination is available Monday to Thursday, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. No appointment necessary. For more information about the vaccine availability, call 340-712-0131. St. Thomas – 2nd Floor, Schneider Regional Medical Center, Monday to Thursday, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., by appointment only. To make an appointment, please call 340-774-7477.

Residents can take steps to protect themselves from the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus by getting vaccinated through this month, the Health Department announced Wednesday. “With the community already facing a dengue outbreak, the availability of the chikungunya vaccine is a timely opportunity to bolster public health and prevent further illness,” Territorial Epidemiologist Esther Ellis stated in a Health Department press release.

To date 135 cases of dengue have been reported: 96 on St. Thomas; 37 on St. John; and two on St. Croix. Dr. Tai Hunte-Ceasar, chief medical officer for the Health Department, said during a Government House briefing in August that the actual number of cases was likely far higher — particularly on St. Croix.