Moderna Woes: Woman in Jamaica Needs Second Jab

St James Resident Paulette Jackson has found herself in a sore situation. In an effort to return to Jamaica after a visit to Canada, Jackson took the Moderna vaccine.

Jackson’s second dose was due after four weeks. She moves into her 10th week without the second dose, with the vaccine not available in Jamaica and no way to return to Canada she has sought local remedy.  Fulfilling her motherly duties, Paulette Jackson decided to spend four months in Canada helping her daughter care for her newborn baby. Her daughter covered the trip expenses. And while it started smoothly things later took a turn.

She says the required time for visitation was up and she had to take the Moderna to return to Jamaica, leaving her without her second dose of the vaccine. While returning to Canada appeared the obvious solution, neither she nor her daughter have the funds to book a flight.

One medical practitioner is warning against the practice of opting for vaccines abroad which are not available in Jamaica, as the Ministry of Health is not mixing and matching the vaccines. Dr. Andrew Manning, President of the Medical Association of Jamaica encourages persons who are traveling overseas to ensure if they are taking the first dose of a vaccine, they should be able to access the second to ensure full immunity.

Reporter: Jhanielle Powell.

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