Vax Take-up Predicted To Slow Following DRMA Removal

In the wake of the removal of Covid-19 restrictions across the island, the government still aims to vaccinate 65 percent of the population by the end of March. The target is unlikely to me met according to experts since vaccine hesitancy still looms among a majority of Jamaicans. Jamaica is almost certain to fail to reach the desired goal of vaccinating 65% of the population by the end of March this year. That statement from Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI) came just days before Prime Minister Andrew Holness relaxed all protocols under the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA).

While the reopening comes as exciting news to many Jamaicans, Epidemiologist Dr. Peter Figueroa reminds that the pandemic is not over. There are eastern countries as well as the United States and United Kingdom reporting a new strain of the omicron variant of the covid-19 virus.  Figueroa encourages vigilance among Jamaicans in light of this new development.

Lack of trust, information and convenient access to one of the 55 fixed vaccination sites across the island are, according to the data, the three areas that should be considered in efforts to increase vaccine uptake. Figueroa suggests a more personal approach to reduce hesitancy.