High expectation for supplies from Biden administration

Jamaica is getting two small shipments of COVID-19 vaccines from Mexico and St Lucia to augment its current supply, which is running low.

Following news of the shortage of vaccines in Jamaica, the two countries announced that they would be gifting vaccines to the government so it can continue its vaccination programme.

Last week, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton announced that Jamaica was running low on COVID-19 vaccines and would have to pause its vaccination programme as it awaits more vaccine supplies.

The National Health Fund (NHF) is the arm of the Jamaican government responsible for procuring medical supplies for the country such as COVID-19 vaccines. Its chairman, Howard Mitchell, advised that Mexico, which recently received a donation of vaccines from the United States, would be sharing 36,000 doses of vaccines with Jamaica.

Foreign Affairs Minister recognised for her role in securing the vaccines gift

Mitchell reported that Jamaica is set to also receive 3,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from St Lucia this week.

The NHF chairman explained that the vaccine gifts were secured through the efforts of Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith.

Both shipments would see Jamaica receiving some 39,000 vaccines by this weekend to continue its vaccination programme. The government is also banking on an expected donation of vaccines in the coming weeks from the Joe Biden administration in the United States.