American Friends Of Jamaica Help To Push Vaccine Message In Hanover

The American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) has been collaborating with the Government to promote vaccination efforts in Hanover and providing promotional material and logistical support for members of the public in the parish.

Executive Director of the AFJ, Caron Chung, who is in Jamaica coordinating the voluntary organisation’s support of the Government’s COVID-19 vaccination drive, says despite the pause with the blitz by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the AFJ remains committed to supporting the Government’s vaccination initiative, specifically in Hanover.

“We will reactivate and continue the implementation of our planning, promotions and logistics operations as soon as the Government indicates its intention to resume the COVID-19 vaccination, based on supplies becoming available,” Ms. Chung said.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness announced on April 13 that the 75,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine that arrived in the island were utilised during its recent islandwide vaccination blitz.

The AFJ Executive Director noted that the current unavailability of a timely supply of sufficient doses of vaccines is a challenge that is being encountered by many countries, including developed nations.

Notwithstanding, she said, the charity group is prepared and ready to continue to support the Government with the vaccination initiative as soon as additional supplies of vaccine become available.

Meanwhile, Ms. Chung is commending the Ministry of Health and Wellness and healthcare workers for their dedication, diligence and hard work in ensuring that thousands of Jamaicans received the first jab of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The organisation has also raised US$200,000 to fund vaccination initiatives across the island.

“Our goal is to ensure that Hanover, with the heavy dependence of its population on tourism to earn and support their various businesses, becomes an example of the effectiveness of vaccination against the potentially deadly COVID-19 disease, and is ready to get back to normality as soon as possible,” Ms. Chung said.

The AFJ is a charitable organisation that renders assistance in the areas of education, healthcare, and economic development.