Weekend blitz to prioritise 12-18 for COVID-19 vaccination, says Health Ministry
Juanique Tennant / Our Today
Given the arrival on the island of Pfizer vaccine doses, which have been approved as safe for usage by children 12 years and older, Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says the health and wellness ministry will embark on a vaccination drive this weekend giving priority to students 12 years and older.
Addressing a joint press briefing with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information on Thursday (August 19), Tufton said it was the health ministry’s intention to make full use of the availability of a secondary vaccine brand, and in particular one that has been approved for children.
He stated: “We begin the vaccination of children 12 years and older with the Pfizer vaccine on Saturday, August 21 into next Tuesday, August 24 as a start, with a focus on our young people 12 years and older with comorbidities this weekend, as well as those 15 -18 years across the board.”
To allow for significant focus to be placed on students 12 years and older, beginning on Saturday, August 21 through to Tuesday, August 24, the health ministry will only be administering vaccines to members of this age cohort with the exception of parents accompanying children and teens and teachers who wish to also be vaccinated.
The vaccination of children and teens represents one in a number of strategies the health ministry will be implementing to facilitate the speedy return of students and teachers to face-to-face to classes.
Among the locations that will be used as blitz sites this weekend are the following:
| Parish | Location |
| St Ann | Moneague Teacher’s College, York Castle High School, Abottnot Gallimore High School, Marcus Garvey Technical High School, Turtle River Park |
| St Mary | St Mary High School, St Amry Anglican Church, Annotto Bay Sports Complex, Brimmervale Housing Scheme, Highgate Primary School, |
| Portland | Port Antonio High School, Buff Bay High School, Fair Prospect High School, |
| St Elizzabeth | Black River High School, Junction Health Centre, Santa Cruz Health Centre, Newell Health Centre, Balaclava Health Centre, Maggoty Health Centre, Southfield Health Centre, New Market Health Centre |
| Manchester | Mandeville Health Centre, Christiana Health Centre, Bellefield Health Centre |
| Clarendon | Lionel Town Health Centre, Denbiegh High School, Clarendon College, Spaulding High School, Edwin Allen High School, May Pen Hospital, Kellits High School |
| Kingston and St Andrew | Jamaica College, St Andrew High School, St George’s College, Merl Grove High School, The Queen’s School, Excelsior High School |
| St Catherine | Portmore Heart Academy, Eltham High School, Dinthill High School, Old Harbour High School, Jose Marti High School, St Jago Park Health Centre, Guys Hill High School |
| St Thomas | Morant Bay Health Centre, Isaac Barront Health Centre, Yallahs Health Centre |
| St James | Mount Alvernia High School, Mount Carey Health Centre, Sandals Inn |
| Westmoreland | Mannings High School, Negril Health Centre, Savanna-la-mar Health Centre |
| Hanover | Hopewell Health Centre, Hopewell High School, Lucea Health Centre, Sandy Bay Health Centre, Green Island Health Centre |
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