Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says Jamaica is to participate in a number of clinical trials in the drive to find a vaccine to treat the mosquito-borne Zika virus (ZIKV).

He says Jamaica’s participation forms part of an international study and fight against ZIKV being supported by the World Health Organizaton.

Tufton says the vaccine could become available within a year.

Tufton said that Jamaica is among some 65 countries fighting ZIKV, and Jamaicans must appreciate the fact that the virus will continue to spread for a while.

Meanwhile, Tufton says the Jamaica government is determined to empower citizens to fight ZIKV through the free flow of information at all levels.