Jamaicans will have to wait longer for the first batch of AstraZeneca coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines from India, as the Ministry of Health and Wellness confirmed a delay in its arrival.

The ministry, in a statement on Wednesday (March 3), said the 50,000 doses, initially scheduled to reach Jamaican shores tomorrow, will now be pushed back to next Monday. There was no reason given for the delay.

“The Ministry of Health and Wellness has been advised that Jamaica is now to receive its first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, March 8— a few days later that the March 4 arrival date earlier announced,” the statement noted.

“The shipment of 50,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine has been made possible, courtesy of the generosity of the Government of India with whom Jamaica enjoys a long diplomatic relationship and from whom the updated arrival information was recently received,” the ministry continued.

According to the health ministry, Monday’s revised shipment date will be followed closely by a 14,400 batch of vaccines on Thursday, March 11, which will come from the COVAX Facility.

The government agency further noted that barring any other inconvenience, Jamaica’s vaccination drive will commence two days after Monday shipment and guided by “principles of human well-being, equal respect, national equity, legitimacy and reciprocity”.

It has been less than a week since Indian High Commissioner to Jamaica Shri R. Masakui announced the gift of 50,000 doses of the highly sought AstraZeneca coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.

See related article below:

• India’s vaccine gift to Jamaica to arrive next week