Several private hospitals across the island have expressed interest in administering COVID-19 vaccines at their facilities and will move one step closer to realizing this goal, when healthcare workers from these hospitals will be involved in a training seminar for vaccinators on Monday, August 30.
This development comes following a meeting with the Health & Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, senior officials from the Ministry of Health & Wellness and the leadership of the private hospitals.
Dr. Tufton noted that “With our goal remaining to inoculate 65% of the population by March 2022, one method of achieving this goal is to expand the access to the COVID-19 vaccines and engaging the private hospitals is one such way to ensure that all Jamaicans can be vaccinated against this deadly virus. This is also in keeping with what we have outlined in our national vaccination implementation plan.”
The vaccination training seminar is to ensure that the Ministry of Health & Wellness standards are met and adhered to and the healthcare workers will be trained in cold chain logistics and management; health promotion and education; emergency services; management of vaccination sites; infection prevention and control protocols and introduction to the COVID-19 vaccines.
At the same time, over 100 school nurses will also participate in the vaccination training seminar on Monday. These nurses will now form part of the cadre of COVID-19 vaccinators, who the Ministry can utilize as it continues its vaccination drive in schools and communities across the island.
Up to Saturday, August 29, a total of 512,327 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered. Of this number, 370,081 are first doses; 139,579 second doses and 2,667 single doses. To become vaccinated, members of the public are encouraged to make their appointments online at vaccination.moh.gov.jm or call the Vaccination Call Centre at 888-ONE-LOVE (888-663-5683).