Jamaica Receives 115,200 Doses of COVID-19 Vaccines

Jamaica has received 115,200 doses of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccines, on Monday, August 23, through the African Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP).

The single-dose vaccines, which are the first of two shipments, were sent through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The Government reports that it is expected to receive the second shipment later this month, to increase the overall provision to 260,000 doses.

Speaking at the handing over of the vaccines at the National Health Fund, (NHF) in Kingston, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, says Jamaica now has a vital supply of the AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Johnson and Johnson brand vaccines. This means Jamaicans now have options from which they can choose.

“It is now our job to work with the country, on a whole, to deliver the vaccines in the arms of Jamaicans to protect them against COVID-19,” Minister Tufton said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, expressed the nation’s gratitude to the Chairman of the Africa Union and President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa.

She said his “vision and foresight ensured the establishment of the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust, which established the African Medical Supplies Platform.”

Minister Johnson Smith also noted that AMSP Chairman, Strive Masiyiwa, has helped to boost President Ramaphosa’s vision that the smallest of developing countries will have sufficient access to COVID-19 vaccines.