Jamaica’s COVID-19 vaccine availability continues to improve following an uptick in vaccine shipments since the start of August 2021.

In just one week, Jamaica has received two shipments of the AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson vaccines totalling some 302, 400 doses arriving since the start of September.

Jamaica on Tuesday (September 14) saw the arrival of some 100,800 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine obtained through the COVAX facility, and another 100, 800 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine which arrived from the African Medical Supplies platform.

These shipments were later followed by the arrival of another shipment of 100, 800 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Friday (September 17) which according to the COVAX facility were donated by Spain.

After a rocky start to its vaccination programme due to limited vaccine supply, the regularity of shipments over the last two months has breathed life anew into Jamaica’s prospects for achieving herd immunity by March 2022.

Over the last two months, vaccine shipments arriving in-country have totalled some 1.1 million doses.

Now on the clock to ensure none of these doses go to waste, the Ministry of Health and Wellness will be seeking to collaborate with a variety of community-based groups, the private sector and the education and tourism sectors to increase vaccine take-up among the populace.

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.