1,200 people vaccinated against COVID-19 at port community blitzes

Approximately 1,200 people have been inoculated across four coronavirus vaccination blitzes held in Newport West.

The fourth session, held by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, in partnership with Kingston Wharves Limited (KWL) and the Port Authority of Jamaica, was staged at the Kingport Building in the shipping community on Tuesday, February 1.

The blitzes target the port community but are open to the surrounding communities and members of the public.

Mark Williams, KWL CEO said, “We support the goal of having an increased percentage of the Jamaican population vaccinated. It is vital to have healthy citizens, especially a healthy port community, given the inherent vulnerabilities from contact with persons travelling from different parts of the world. Critically, too, the shipping industry is an integral part of the global supply chain, and having healthy workers will support the seamless movement of cargo for personal shippers, medical facilities and businesses.”

Jordon Turner, 19, a Calabar High School athlete, received his first shot of the Pfizer vaccine at the recent blitz. He said, “Vaccination is really important, so I came here so to get my first shot so that I can be protected from the coronavirus. I have heard that the vaccine is good against the virus, so I would recommend that people take the shot.”

Kingston Wharves’ Safety Health and Environment Manager Dean Williams expressed satisfaction with the latest blitz. “There was a steady inflow of persons from many entities within the port community and farther afield. We are happy to continue providing critical resources so that members of our community can have access to the vaccine to better protect their health and livelihoods.”