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Ministry encourages taking available Pfizer

Published:Saturday | April 29, 2023 | 1:08 AM
A young man reads the Pfizer vaccine pamphlet issued at the vaccination blitz held at Merl Grove High School on Sunday, September 12, 2021. With an increase in respiratory ailments, the health ministry yesterday issued a release advising persons who have b
A young man reads the Pfizer vaccine pamphlet issued at the vaccination blitz held at Merl Grove High School on Sunday, September 12, 2021. With an increase in respiratory ailments, the health ministry yesterday issued a release advising persons who have been fully vaccinated to take the Pfizer booster, which is now available in the island.

WITH AN increase in respiratory infections, including the COVID-19 virus, in recent weeks, the Ministry of Health & Wellness is encouraging Jamaicans who are fully vaccinated to take a booster shot from the Pfizer vaccine that is now available in the country.

The health & wellness ministry announced yesterday that Jamaica has received a donation of 80,640 doses of the Pfizer vaccine from the Government of Latvia.

The increase in respiratory infections is being blamed on the COVID-19 virus, together with influenza B, influenza A, and respiratory syncytial virus.

Jamaicans are being urged to visit any of the more than 120 vaccination sites to receive the booster dose of Pfizer.

At present, 28 per cent of Jamaica’s population is fully vaccinated, while 56.4 per cent have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

At least 136,020 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine have been administered, while Jamaicans have only taken 1,056 doses of the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine to date.

Dr Melody Ennis, director of family services in the Ministry of Health & Wellness, said that Jamaica was still in the flu season and as such persons should take the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as the influenza vaccine.

The flu season spans from October to May.

Asked about the amount of COVID-19 vaccines that have had to be dumped locally, Ennis told The Gleaner that across the world there is an acceptable 10 to 30 per cent level of wastage. However, she said that Jamaica has never exceeded that cap in terms of the dumping of vaccines.

She reminded Jamaicans to continue practising the established protocols of hand sanitising and washing, and the wearing of masks.

Meanwhile, the ministry says it is continuing to administer the Johnson & Johnson and Sinopharm vaccines to persons 18 years and older.

“Members of the public are encouraged to get vaccinated to protect themselves from severe illness, hospitalisation and/or death associated with COVID-19,” a release from the ministry stated.