After a record-breaking 21,000 COVID-19 vaccinations in a day, it would appear that the Ministry of Health and Wellness is on the right track to achieving its 700,000 first-dose vaccination take-up target for the end of September.

However, just before pro-vaxxers run wild with celebrations of the milestone, Our Today felt it important that we acknowledge the necessary amount of gas needed, to see us through to the end of the journey.

According to the health ministry’s vaccination tracker, as of August 24, approximately 351,126 Jamaicans had been inoculated with at least one dose in the case of the two-dose AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines or a dose in the case of the single-dose Johnson &J ohnson vaccine.

This figure suggests that the country has, to date, vaccinated some 50.2 per cent of persons of the 700,000 target, and must administer another 348,874 first/single-dose vaccines if the target is to be achieved.

With the start of September just around the corner, the importance of Jamaicans not taking the pedal off the gas and continue to show up to vaccination centres in their numbers cannot be overemphasised.

In fact, according to Our Today calculations, assuming a two-day break in vaccinations each week as of today (August 25), when public vaccinations resume, to September 30, there remain 27 days to take full advantage of the opportunity to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

If vaccinations are to be executed as planned for these 27 days then the average daily first dose or single dose vaccinations would need to total an average 12,921 per day for the target to be achieved.

The ministry would of course hope for far higher daily vaccination numbers just in case of an unforeseen occurrence closer to the September 30 deadline.

After all, the hurricane season doesn’t end until November.

To become vaccinated, members of the public are encouraged to make their appointments online at https://www.moh.gov.jm or call the Vaccination Call Centre at 888-ONE-LOVE (888-663-5683).

Once persons have received their appointment confirmation, they are to visit their vaccination site on time and with their tax registration number (TRN) and government-issued identification or letter from a justice of the peace.

There are no appointment requirements for mobile vaccination sites, which are also being run islandwide. However, persons are being asked to turn up with their Government-issued identification.