With data indicating that more than 95 per cent of persons hospitalised for the coronavirus (COVID-19) are unvaccinated, Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, is reiterating his call for Jamaicans to get the jab to protect themselves and their loved ones. “Persons who experience serious, chronic, moderate to severe illness, those are the persons that are unvaccinated,” he pointed...

St. Elizabeth Health Services will be administering vaccines to members of the public at health centres throughout the parish on Saturday (September 11). Chief Public Health Inspector, Everod Lewis, said that the vaccination drive is part of ongoing efforts to increase the take-up of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine among residents. He is encouraging persons to visit the Black River, Santa...

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) member countries are being encouraged to increase investments in health systems, particularly at the primary level. Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, says countries should consider investing a minimum six per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in health, with 30 per cent earmarked for the first level of care, incorporating clinics. Dr. Etienne maintained that this...

More than 40,000 students have, so far, received their first dose of the Pfizer coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. This was disclosed by Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Fayval Williams, who said that the vaccine take-up by students is “going very well”. Speaking with JIS News during a recent interview, Ms. Williams said she is optimistic that “we are going...

More than 500 persons registered to receive the AstraZeneca or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the Red Stripe and Partners Private Sector Vaccine Initiative (PSVJ) vaccination drive on Wednesday (September 8). The vaccination drive was held at the Red Stripe brewery on Spanish Town Road in Kingston and targeted employees from companies along the Spanish Town Road industrial belt and their...

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says parents whose children are 12 years and older should not be apprehensive about taking them to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. “The advice [for parents] continues to be that the vaccine used for children 12 years and over remains safe –  the Pfizer vaccine,” Dr. Tufton said,  during a tour...

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, says the Ministry is keeping close tabs on the new Mu variant of the coronavirus (COVID-19) that has now emerged in the Caribbean. This latest strain of  COVID-19 was reported to be detected in St. Vincent and is deemed to be more transmittable. In light of this, Dr. Tufton told...