On June 17, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education in Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched Phase 2 of the “ACT NOW” campaign. In attendance were U.S. Embassy Port of Spain’s Deputy Chief of Mission, Megan Kelly, Minister of Education, Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, and Regional Representative, UNICEF Eastern Caribbean Area, Dr. Aloys Kamuragiye.
The “ACT NOW” campaign emphasizes to school-aged children the importance of COVID-19 vaccination within the context of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The campaign incorporates advice on healthy eating, physical exercise and socialization, with conversations on vaccination. . The campaign will be rolled out on social media via Google ads, radio, and posters.
U.S. Embassy Port of Spain’s Deputy Chief of Mission Kelly remarked, “This activity is part of the wider United States Government support to the COVID-19 response of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. We hope that through this campaign more parents and caregivers will opt to have their children vaccinated.”
The launch of Phase 2 of the “ACT NOW” campaign builds on prior efforts that reached over 280,000 people via Facebook and Instagram. Additional COVID-19 activities include the U.S. Government’s donation of 684,570 Pfizer vaccines, two field hospitals by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), and the retrofitting of two ambulances to serve as vaccination sites for rural communities.