As Jamaica currently experiences an ‘interwave’ period, Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says officials are not waiting until the island is gripped by a fourth wave of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Tufton, during the latest staging of COVID Conversations on Thursday (December 15), said that amid concerns of the Omicron variant spreading worldwide Jamaicans should take the vaccine—adding that unlike other periods during the country’s response to the pandemic, vaccine availability is not an issue.

As of noon on Wednesday, the vaccination numbers stood at 1,171,553. Of that number, 626,669 were first doses and 471, 222 were second doses while 73,662 were of the Johnson and Johnson.

Currently the government holds over one million doses of a four brands of vaccines in inventory.

There are currently some 386,100 AstraZeneca vaccines, 130,635 single dose vaccines and 198,470 Sinopharm vaccines.

In keeping with the government’s promise of 600,000 doses of the Pfizer, an additional 200,000 were obtained, bringing the total to 396,630. These vaccines were gifted to the island by the United States Government.

“That’s a lot of inventory and it is an indication that vaccine availability is not the issue,” Tufton said, reiterating that aim is get rid of the vaccines in most ideal way.

In addition to an increase in inventory, the minister added that there are over 250 vaccination sites for members of the public to choose from.

Tufton noted that as of Thursday, December 16, the booster programme will be expanded to all Jamaicans 18 and over who qualify for a booster shot.

Prior to this, the booster programme was open to healthcare workers and those aged 60 and over, however now with the increase in stock, the government is able now to accommodate more individuals and are encouraging the public to engage in the activity.

Those who have taken the AstraZeneca jab and are currently beyond six months after their second dose, can now receive a booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine. Persons who have taken the Pfizer vaccine and are six months after their second dose can receive the same Pfizer vaccine.

Those who have taken the single-dose vaccine and are two months after their dose can take a second shot of the Johnson and Johnson as their booster, or they can wait a six month period of their dose and take a Pfizer as their booster instead.

Minister Tufton stressed that all the prerequisites to allow for a higher vaccination take-up are in place.

“We really do not have any excuses to not get vaccinated. We have inventory, we have choice of brands and we have sites to deliver, whether private sites or public sites,” he explained.

“And I really want to encourage as many Jamaicans as possible who are yet to be vaccinated to take the opportunity so to do. And to do so for protection of themselves particularly in light of the fourth wave which we anticipate in the new year.”