KLM Royal Dutch Airlines delivers first COVID-19 vaccines to Aruba

ORANJESTAD – On February 16, 2021 flight KL779 departed from Amsterdam Schiphol to Aruba transporting 11.700 COVID-19 vaccines for the Aruban community. This is the first of several transport operations that will deliver vaccines to Aruba and other Dutch Kingdom islands in the coming weeks. The vaccines were loaded on to the aircraft in the presence of Dutch State Secretary of Health, Welfare and Sport, Mr. Paul Blokhuis, responsible for healthcare in the Caribbean region of the Kingdom, and Mr. Pieter Elbers, KLM President and CEO.

In Aruba the shipment was received by the Prime Minister of Aruba Mrs. Evelyn Wever-Croes and the Minister of Tourism, Public Health and Sport Mr. Dangui Oduber in coordination with the Department of Civil Aviation and Aruba’s Disaster Management Office.

Local medical professionals have received the necessary training and have participated in simulations to ensure a successful vaccination process. The first group will be vaccinated in the week of February 17-21, 2021 and includes employees from the Local Hospital and other Health Care professionals. The next group to be vaccinated will be the 60+ community with a delicate health condition.

“We welcome the vaccines and hope that soon the entire population can be vaccinated to return to the Pre-COVID traveling days. At AUA Airport we have adhered to all the preventive measures and will continue with our efforts to ensure a safe travel experience for all our passengers,” said AAA CEO Joost Meijs with regards to the arrival of the vaccines.

Fun Fact: What’s cool about this is the name of the aircraft. All 15 KLM 777 are named after a heritage site (Epidaurus, the healing center during Greek myth, a unesco world heritage site). If this was a coincidence, it was a pretty cool one.

Photo credit: 297 Spotters