At the close of Monday, April 12, preliminary reports show that more than 23,000 Jamaicans received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca. This amount has increased the number of persons vaccinated during the blitz campaign to over 60,000; when added to the number of person previously -some 42,000, means that Jamaica has surpassed the 100,000 mark for persons inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine.

As the Ministry enters its final day of the weekend islandwide vaccination blitz, the target is to inoculate some 14,000 Jamaicans, who are invited to make an appointment via online or telephone or register on spot to be vaccinated at the blitz sites across the island. All the centres are expected to open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m. or when the blitz site has utilize its allocated COVID-19 vaccine.

The Ministry of Health & Wellness will continue to vaccinate persons 40 years and older, who suffer from one or more comorbid conditions; persons 50 years and older; and members of the public who are employed to the transport sector; tourism workers; teachers and other employees of educational institutions; media, government workers and staff members from the Department of Correctional Services, Jamaica Fire Brigade, PICA and Jamaica Customs Agency.

Members of the public who fall in any of these cohorts can utilize three methods for registering to receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca. Persons can register using the online portal on the Ministry’s website at www.moh.gov.jm; call the National Vaccination Hotline at 888-ONE-LOVE (888-663-5683) or register on spot at one of the blitz site across the island.