CMO Appeals to Persons to Take Second Dose of AstraZeneca Vaccine

Persons are again being advised to take their second dose of the AstraZeneca coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.

According to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, 76,006 persons are due their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine this month (from October 1 to 30), and just over 100,000 persons have passed their due date before October 1 for their second dose.

Making the plea, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie, pointed out that there are now 63 fixed vaccination sites across the island.

“We also have 11 private firms that are vaccinating. We have the Private Sector Vaccination Initiative, we have mobile units, and Pop-Up Blitzes at offices and in town centres,” she said, during a statement on Thursday (October 7).

“So, there are several sites available for persons to go in to get their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine or to go in to get their first dose of AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson vaccines. There are enough doses of AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson vaccines for both first and second doses,” she said.

In the meantime, the CMO reminded that a new electronic registration system is now in place that will aid in identifying and assisting elderly, disabled, and shut-ins who wish to receive their COVID-19 vaccination.

Persons may go online to register at the Ministry of Health and Wellness’ website at www.moh.gov.jm.

Dr. Bisasor-McKenzie informed that the system allows health departments to be able to identify persons who have special circumstances and may not be able to visit a vaccination site.

“This online form is completed for each elderly/disabled/shut-in who is seeking to be vaccinated. The tool allows the person completing the form to indicate that the person being registered is in an institution or a private home,” she said.

The CMO noted that the Parish Health Department will then review the geographic distribution of the registrants and make contact by telephone in order to confirm an authentic request and to schedule and undertake the visit to the home or institution for the vaccine intervention.

Meanwhile, lamenting that people have been letting down their guard, Dr. Bisasor-McKenzie reiterated that it is critical that persons continue to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols that have been put in place to reduce the spread of the virus.

“These protocols still apply, whether you have received your first dose or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Further, if you are ill, you must stay home. If you have a cough or cold, sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, please stay home,” she urged.

“Please do your best to prevent another surge, to prevent more hospitalisations, and to prevent deaths. The journey to getting back to the things we love may be rocky… but through collective action, we can and we will get there,” she added.