Tag: senior citizens

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

COVID-19 crisis in Jamaican prisons: a call for the most vulnerable to be released

September 25, 2021

In my last news update, I wrote: It was disturbing to learn recently that only 10 per cent of the prison population has been vaccinated (was a truly concerted effort to get them vaccinated ever undertaken?) Now even more worryingly, we learn that 58 prisoners and 38 staff members have tested positive.  In his State of … More COVID-19 crisis in Jamaican prisons: a call for the most vulnerable to be released

IDB and IDB Lab’s Silver Economy Innovation for Inclusion Challenge invites grant proposals to benefit seniors

June 22, 2021

Did you know there is something called the Silver Economy? I love this expression. I hear it is booming in the United States, and why shouldn’t it boom in Jamaica and across the Caribbean? I know on this island we have an aging population – and apparently this also applies to the Latin American/Caribbean region … More IDB and IDB Lab’s Silver Economy Innovation for Inclusion Challenge invites grant proposals to benefit seniors

CCRP urges Jamaican political representatives to help rural elders get vaccinated

June 1, 2021

We might assume that many Jamaicans over 60 who have not yet been vaccinated are hesitating or unwilling to get their first dose. However, our senior citizens face many practical challenges these days – none more so than those who are living in rural areas. The Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) is worried that … More CCRP urges Jamaican political representatives to help rural elders get vaccinated

Second “Blitz” vaccinates over 1,000 Jamaican elders

April 5, 2021

The Ministry of Health and Wellness really seem to love the word “blitz.” It sounds somewhat warlike to me, but I guess the idea is to really reach some numbers in terms of vaccination. There have been two “blitzes” so far at the National Arena in Kingston. Reports from the vaccinees (I am not sure … More Second “Blitz” vaccinates over 1,000 Jamaican elders

Vaccination Time for Jamaican Seniors

March 23, 2021

This morning was an interesting experience. My dear husband, who falls in the over-75 bracket, received an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine. This is the much-discussed AstraZeneca, which is the first vaccine that Jamaica has received, to date. By the way, Jamaica was the first Caribbean country to receive vaccines through the World Health Organization’s … More Vaccination Time for Jamaican Seniors

Jamaicans 75 years and older to be vaccinated next week

March 18, 2021

Here’s the latest from the Ministry of Health and Wellness… Kingston, Jamaica. Thursday, March 18, 2021. The Ministry of Health and Wellness wishes to advise that for the week of March 22 to 28, the priority group for vaccination is persons 75 years and older.  Effective 10:00 am on Monday, March 22, 2021, persons from this group wishing to take the COVID-19 vaccine must make an appointment before … More Jamaicans 75 years and older to be vaccinated next week

Fairness and equity in access to the COVID-19 vaccine in Jamaica

March 13, 2021

We are learning a great deal about the COVID-19 vaccine. As I detailed in a Global Voices post this week, there was quite a bit of excitement when Jamaica’s very first batch of vaccine arrived on Monday (March 8). Prime Minister Andrew Holness stressed at a press briefing that evening that vaccinations would take place … More Fairness and equity in access to the COVID-19 vaccine in Jamaica