KINGSTON, Jamaica – Former Prime Ministers PJ Patterson and Bruce Golding have joined the Jamaicans’ call to take the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.
Patterson and Golding were among persons who received the injection at The Good Samaritan’s Inn in the Corporate Area on Wednesday – the first day of implementing the vaccine program.
According to Patterson, the take-up of the vaccine “will ensure that our systems are strengthened to resist the virus.”
“I have taken my vaccination. By being able to do so on the first day that the vaccine program has started, we intend to show to the nation that there is no reason whatsoever why people should not accept the vaccine when it is available,” he noted.
“I would plead to all those persons, and particularly those beyond age 65, to avail themselves of the first opportunity to get the vaccine. By doing so, they will protect themselves and offer some protection to others,” he added.
For his part, Golding said that the process went smoothly and urged Jamaicans to take the vaccine as soon as possible so that the country can return to normality.
“The procedure was simple, straightforward [and] virtually painless. It involved less stress than when you go to your doctor for an examination. They ask you a few questions in terms of the processing. That took less than five minutes. The administration of the vaccine took less than three minutes,” Golding said.
“It was a pleasant experience, and I want to use this opportunity to really encourage all Jamaicans, as soon as the opportunity is available, to take the vaccine,” he stressed.
Widow of late former Prime Minister Hugh Shearer, and Professor of Public Health and Ageing, University of the West Indies (UWI), Dr. Denise Eldemire Shearer, also received the vaccine on Wednesday.
She described the experience as “awesome.”
“The shot does not hurt… and it is the start of freedom. It has been a year, and it is time for us to get back to normal life, to exercise, etc., and this is the start,” she added.
More than 3,000 healthcare workers were targeted to receive the vaccine on Wednesday, comprising 1,930 personnel from the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA); 530 from the Western Regional Health Authority (WRHA); 520 from the North East Regional Health Authority (NERHA); and 300 from the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA).
At the end of week one, the Government intends to vaccinate 17,050 healthcare workers.
Next week, members of the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will be vaccinated.
On Monday, Jamaica received a donation of 50,000 doses of vaccines from India’s Government to facilitate the vaccine program’s start.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness also expects 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.
The Government had indicated that it has the resources to secure vaccines for some two million Jamaicans.
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