Tufton eyes weakening of virus threat by year end
Published:Monday | June 7, 2021 | 12:12 AMRuddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer
Despite Jamaica being a long way from acquiring herd immunity, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton is forecasting some level of normality here by year end.
While observing the administering of second doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to the elderly at the National Arena on Saturday, Tufton said that the ministry would ramp up the immunisation programme into the fourth quarter of the calendar year.
“I don’t like to give timelines, because there are so many variables that we don’t have control over, but I think once we have the vaccine supply and people are willing to take it, by the latter part of this year we should see the virus being less of a threat than it is now,” Tufton told The Gleaner.
“I think we are at a better place now. The numbers are going down. Generally speaking, I think we are moving in the right direction,” he added.
Jamaica received approximately 55,200 AstraZeneca doses a week ago under the COVAX Facility and is banking on securing a significant tranche of the 25 million vaccines being donated by Washington to the Caribbean, Central and South America, among other regions.
Lobbyists had been pressing the White House weeks ago for one million doses for the island, but it is unclear whether that full request will be met.
Around 70 per cent, or 1.9 million, of the population will need be fully vaccinated for herd immunity. Jamaica had, up to Saturday afternoon, immunised about 180,000 - fewer than seven per cent.
Tufton suggested, however, that the real number that had attained some level of immunity was upwards of 200,000 - including many of the nearly 49,000 who have tested positive here.
“Clearly, we have a long way to go, but part of it is the availability of the vaccine. We are making good progress now, and in the weeks ahead the country will hear about some of the other things we will do,” Tufton said.
The country’s fatalities inched closer to the 1,000 mark on Saturday, with six reported deaths. Casualties have now reached 970. Hospitalisations fell to 137, nine fewer than a day earlier. Seven of the inpatients are critical.
The health and wellness minister said that Saturday’s blitz was an overwhelming success. He praised healthcare workers for their dedication during the almost 15 months since the coronavirus reached Jamaica’s shores.
Up to 4 p.m. on Saturday, more than 600 persons had received their second dose at the National Arena, with many vaccine candidates turning up two hours before the scheduled 9 a.m. start.
Audley Douglas, 80, said he was anxious to arrive at the Arena to get his second shot because of the exhilarating surge he felt at the first try.
“When mi get the first one, it make mi feel stronger. I feel like I drink a tonic,” said Douglas, indicating that he was untroubled by the possible side effects like fever and nausea.
“I have no fears. I feel happy taking this vaccine,” the octogenarian said further, adding that he was eager to return to his pre-COVID lifestyle.
Since March 2020, lockdowns, curfews, and safety protocols have either limited or banned outright crowds at funerals, churches, sports events, and weddings. There has also been a complete shutdown of the entertainment industry.
The blitz is expected to continue on Saturday, June 12 in St Catherine and other parishes, mainly targeting the elderly.