Tag: Ministry of Health and Wellness

Mixed COVID-19 signals? Omicron BA.2 variant is in Jamaica, and there are questions about timing

April 22, 2022

I had asked whether we are “over” COVID-19 in Jamaica, since as of April 15 all remaining restrictions related to the pandemic have lapsed – including travel restrictions and mandatory mask wearing indoors. Well, we are not quite over it, after all. I think we could have seen this one coming. Or did we know … More Mixed COVID-19 signals? Omicron BA.2 variant is in Jamaica, and there are questions about timing

School meals are not a trivial matter for Jamaica, youth advocates say

March 11, 2022

After just about two years, all schools reopened for face-to-face learning this week. There was a collective sigh of relief, I think, among schools, parents – and the students themselves, who have been struggling with all kinds of pressures since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Today (March 10) is the second anniversary of the confirmation of … More School meals are not a trivial matter for Jamaica, youth advocates say

Road Safety in Jamaica – Can “something dramatic happen”? A letter to the nation from Dr. Lucien Jones

January 29, 2022

Dr. Lucien Jones is Vice Chair and Convenor of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), which is chaired by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Dr. Jones must sometimes feel like a voice crying in the wilderness, on the terrible numbers of Jamaicans (close to 500 last year!) killed on our roads – but he never gives … More Road Safety in Jamaica – Can “something dramatic happen”? A letter to the nation from Dr. Lucien Jones

COVID-19 updates from Jamaica (January 8, 2022)

January 9, 2022

As Omicron is flying around the world at lightning speed, so it is in Jamaica. The problem with our island, though, is that the vast majority of our population is not vaccinated (close to 80 percent) despite vaccines being widely available (that is, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and Sinopharm). According to the Reuters Coronavirus … More COVID-19 updates from Jamaica (January 8, 2022)

COVID-19 in Jamaica: boosting, testing, vaccinating, and the Fourth Wave

December 22, 2021

We got our booster shots this week. Our regular vaccination centre was bursting at the seams, so we drove down the road apiece to St. Joseph’s Hospital. As far as getting a needle stuck in your arm can be a pleasant experience – it really was! We sat under a big, airy tent on the … More COVID-19 in Jamaica: boosting, testing, vaccinating, and the Fourth Wave

Jamaica’s COVID-19 vaccination program gets a shot in the arm (and a note on testing)

December 5, 2021

Firstly, the good news: the U.S. Government has provided more support for the COVID-19 vaccine efforts in Jamaica… The United States government, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Caribbean Regional Office and its COVID-19 International Vaccine Implementation and Evaluation Program is supporting Jamaica’s Rapid COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Program with $190K USD, approximately … More Jamaica’s COVID-19 vaccination program gets a shot in the arm (and a note on testing)

Immuno-compromised Jamaicans can now obtain an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccines

November 7, 2021

Here’s an important bit of news from the Ministry of Health and Wellness… November 6, 2021 Following the publication of an interim guidance on vaccination for immunocompromised individuals by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Health & Wellness has advised that it will effective immediately implement the recommendation and administer an additional dose … More Immuno-compromised Jamaicans can now obtain an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccines

House to house vaccination starts in Jamaica

October 25, 2021

Our health workers have been putting in the hours. Who can deny this – they have been dedicated, hard-working and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude. The United Nations in Jamaica decided to recognize them by encouraging government and private sector buildings to “light up blue” in recognition of the efforts of our … More House to house vaccination starts in Jamaica