As the Ministry of Health and Wellness seeks to continue its vaccination implementation plan, Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says the priority groups eligible for inoculations have now been extended to include persons age 50 years and older.

As per the updated priority grouping, individuals who fall within any of the following categories may visit the Ministry of Health’s website to schedule their vaccination appointments.

The priority groups now include: persons age 50 years and older, staff members from the Department of Correctional Services, Jamaica Fire Brigade, Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency, Jamaica Customs, teachers, and other employees of educational institutions.

The minister made the announcement while speaking during today’s (May 13) COVID Conversations.

He stated that while the ministry is not yet pleased with the total vaccination numbers for persons 60 years and older, the priority group is being extended to ensure that vaccination centres are being fully optimised and individuals interested in receiving their first jab, can do so.

“Moving down to 50 is not an indication that we are satisfied with the numbers coming out of 60 and over. It is an indication that we have to continue to apply or make available the vaccine to other members of the population and also that we will have some work to do…,” said the minister.

As of May 12, 146,147 Jamaicans have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine of which only 69,340 fall within the 60 years and older category.