KINGSTON, Jamaica– Jamaica began its COVID-19 vaccination program on Wednesday – exactly one year after the first case of the virus was confirmed in the island – with a public health nurse Marcia Thomas-Yetman being the first to get the jab.
The Ministry is targeting the vaccination of more than 3,000 healthcare workers by the end of the day. It is the intention to vaccinate 17,050 healthcare workers by the end of week one.
In an interview with the media immediately after she was inoculated, Nurse Thomas-Yetman, who is employed with the South East Regional Health Authority, said she was proud to be the first person to be vaccinated.
“I’m happy that I got it, and I’m encouraging everyone to get their COVID-19 vaccine,” she said.
“My greatest consideration was my fear of needles. That was my thought… but when I think of the benefits, that took precedence in terms of what it is going to do for my family and me, and the other persons that I may come in contact with in terms of protection from COVID-19.”
Thomas-Yetman, who has served the profession for the past 27 years, said she is elated that the country’s vaccination program is underway.
“COVID-19 has killed so many people worldwide. We have several deaths in Jamaica. I’m so saddened by it. Unfortunately, we have had so many cases over the last few days in particular, and we want to ensure that all our population is protected,” she said.
The public health nurse added her voice to the government’s call for Jamaicans to cooperate with the vaccination program being rolled out in the fight against COVID-19.
“Wear your masks, sanitize, [maintain] social distance, and get your vaccine for COVID-19,” she urged.
For those who are apprehensive about taking the vaccine, Nurse Thomas-Yetman said: “This vaccine is safe. Thousands and thousands of people across the world have been vaccinated with this vaccine, and they’re still alive, they’re still doing well, and complications [are] minimal based on what we have been told from studies done.”
Next week, members of the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will be vaccinated.
The first shipment of 50,000 doses of vaccines, donated by the Government of India, arrived on the island on Monday.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness expects some 14,400 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines on or before March 11. Another 1.8 million doses are to be supplied to Jamaica, starting in April, under the African Medical Supply platform.
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