Close To Seven Thousand Jamaicans Receive Second Jab

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is reporting that close to seven thousand Jamaicans have received the second dose of vaccine so far. Additionally, after nine weeks of the National Vaccination Programme,146,147 Jamaicans have received the first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Of that number, 6,999 have already received the second jab.

This means as of May 12, the Ministry has inoculated approximately eight percent of the targeted 1.924 million persons in the population, with the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Minister Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton is urging persons to come forward and receive their second dose of vaccine, as a single dose does not provide full protection. 

Dr. Tufton was speaking at the weekly COVID-19 virtual press briefing on Thursday.

Members of the public are being advised, to make contact with the Ministry or visit the facility where they received their first shot, if they have not yet been contacted by a representative.

Meanwhile, Dr. Tufton says there are signs of vaccine hesitancy among the vulnerable population.

The sex distribution as it relates to deaths indicate that more males are dying from the infection.

However, more females than males are accepting the vaccine.

Persons 50 years and older are now able to register for vaccination.

This comes on the heels of the Ministry’s ongoing vaccination programme with vaccination continuing for health-care workers, members of the Jamaica Defence Force and Jamaica Constabulary Force, as well as staff members from the Department of Correctional Services, PICA and Jamaica Customs Agency.

Persons wishing to be vaccinated are reminded that they must make an appointment through the Ministry’s website, or through the national vaccination hotline at 888-ONE-LOVE (888-663-5683).