Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, will begin tomorrow for Cabinet members, Parliamentarians and heads of ministries, departments and agencies of Government who are 60 years and older.
They join frontline health care workers and members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and the Jamaica Defence Force who are now being vaccinated against the virus, which, up to now, has infected more than 31,000 Jamaicans and claimed the lives of more than 490 persons locally.
Jamaica’s COVID-19 vaccination programme began on the March 10, with the administration of the first doses for close to 3,000 individuals. Included in the first batch of persons to be vaccinated were former Prime Ministers, the Right Hon. PJ Patterson and the Right Hon. Bruce Golding, in addition to former Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall. Since then, more than 12,000 persons have been vaccinated.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness is reminding the public that vaccines are being administered according to the approved schedule and, for the safety of all concerned, is urging persons to attend vaccination sites islandwide only after they have received their appointments.
Members of the public are also reminded to remain vigilant in their adherence to infection prevention and control measures for COVID-19, notably, wear your masks; maintain your physical distance from others; and frequently wash and/or sanitise hands.