Clarendon Stakeholders Speak on Vaccine Hesitancy

Clarendon stakeholders address vaccine hesitancy: It is day two of the national vaccination blitz, which the Ministry of Health and Wellness says will be an indication of the readiness and willingness of Jamaicans to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

While some sites were overwhelmed with persons wanting to receive their first dose, some leaders say many residents continue to entertain conspiracy theories that are keeping them out of the vaccine line.

As more and more doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine become available to inoculate Jamaicans, the Health Ministry noted that the issue of vaccine hesitancy is emerging as  a major  threat in achieving herd immunity. 

This as conspiracy theories and widespread fear continue to keep many Jamaicans out of the vaccine line.

On Saturday, hundreds of Clarendon residents were in line at the Summer Field Community Centre and the Denbigh Agricultural Showground from as early as 7 am to take their first  dose of the vaccine.

To add, Owen Brown, a resident says for a while he was apprehensive so he did some research on his own before showing up for the jab.

Additionally, Central Clarendon Member of Parliament, Mike Henry, says citizens must take personal responsibility in getting accurate and factual data about the COVID-19 vaccines.

Councilor from the Denbigh Division, Joel Williams, says for Clarendonians to bounce back from the health crisis, residents should play their part by getting vaccinated.

In the meantime, Clarendon Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kimberley Scarlett Campbell says she is most pleased with the response from citizens and took the opportunity to dispel talks of adverse effects of taking the jab.