Nuri Katz, founder and president of Apex Capital Partners and also a resident of Antigua, shares his experience with Russian Sputnik V vaccine.
Naturalized citizen of Antigua and Barbuda Nuri Katz told recently returned to the country from Russia, where he received two doses of Sputnik V. Katz, who was born in the United States but has lived in Antigua for eight years, said that he did not experience any side effects.
“I had absolutely no side effects. I was warned that I might and I had no side effects, no fever. I didn’t feel it when it went it, I didn’t feel it afterwards. I felt absolutely nothing,” Katz shared.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne chimed in, adding that in a recent meeting with Russian officials, it was disclosed that the vaccine is not only safe and effective, but will last for a long time.
“From all indications, the Sputnik V is one of the best vaccines out there. But what was very impressive is the fact that they said this vaccine could last for up to two years. That really surprised me at the time because what is happening now with most of the Western vaccines is that they are now saying that even though you have had the two doses, perhaps 6 months to a year you’d have to have a booster vaccine,” Browne said.
On the second week of April 2021 Antigua and Barbuda received 1,000 Sputnik V vaccines the from the Russian Federation, two days after the first batch of 24,000 doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca shots arrived under the COVAX arrangement. The government of India also gifted the country with 40,000 AstraZeneca vaccines in February.
Nevertheless, the most famous local event of April, Antigua Sailing Week is turning into a virtual event. The two-hour event will be held on April 25, 2021 on the Antigua Sailing Week Facebook and YouTube accounts. The physical week of sailing had been canceled this year amid the pandemic.
This year’s edition aims to “connect and reconnect with an audience who are longtime supporters and participants of Antigua Sailing Week, their friends who have heard great things about it as well as fans of the sport and the destination – any of whom may be considering Antigua & Barbuda as an active or leisure vacation option,” said CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Colin C. James.
Sources: Caribbean Journal, Antigua Observer
