Anthony Hylton: COVID-19 Vaccines Needed Urgently

Anthony Hylton: A Plan To Distribute COVID-19 Vaccines Needed Urgently 

A member of the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP), has voiced concerns about the Government’s distribution plan for the COVID-19 vaccine, come 2021. Opposition spokesman on Industry, Investment and Global Logistics, Anthony Hylton say an urgent plan is needed for distribution of the vaccines, adding, the early indication is that the Government and private-sector interests are already late out of the starting gate.

Following the Health Minister’s announcement that 16 per cent of the population is expected to be vaccinated in 2021, Opposition spokesman on Industry, Investment and Global Logistics, Anthony Hylton said the Minister and his health team seem to be scrambling to put a plan in place for the supply, distribution, and administration of the vaccine.

In parliament on Tuesday, December 8, Dr. Christopher Tufton announced the establishment of the National COVID-19 Vaccine Commission (NCVC), comprising a multidisciplinary and multistakeholder group of persons. This he says is to “provide guidance and oversight in the development of a National COVID-19 Deployment and Vaccination Plan for the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines.”

Hylton says the supply and logistics challenges in making the vaccine available to the Jamaican population under optimum conditions cannot be underestimated. 

But, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-Mckenzie while outlining the role of the NCVC says, citizens can rest assured that the Health Ministry will be fully prepared to receive the vaccines in 2021. 

-ALADDEN LOVE