Vaccination Time for Jamaican Seniors

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

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

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

Jamaican Government provides further information on Vaccination Implementation Plan

As I observed in my last post, we seem to be obsessed with the vaccines and who will get them first, or in what order. I am still not quite clear where the Government officials will come into the picture – after everyone else? As for my husband and I, we will float around in … More Jamaican Government provides further information on Vaccination Implementation Plan

An Update on COVID-19 and the Vaccine from the Health and Wellness Minister

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Christopher Tufton updated the Lower House this afternoon on the situation regarding COVID-19 and the possibilities regarding a vaccine. It’s really a mixed picture of some successes, some concerns – and otherwise hanging in there and continuing to believe that “this too shall pass.” I have highlighted a few … More An Update on COVID-19 and the Vaccine from the Health and Wellness Minister

COVID-19 Cases at Missionaries of the Poor in Downtown Kingston

This is not very encouraging news, breaking on this rainy Sunday night. 74 positive cases from 125 samples seems a very high positivity rate. Meanwhile, I have not heard any more news about the situation at Mustard Seed Communities, another faith-based organization serving extremely vulnerable Jamaicans – where there has also been an outbreak. UPDATE: … More COVID-19 Cases at Missionaries of the Poor in Downtown Kingston

CCRP Jamaica Expresses Concern at COVID-19 Outbreak at Golden Age Home

The Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) has expressed grave concern at the outbreak of COVID-19 at the Golden Age Home in Kingston – the largest such facility in the English-speaking Caribbean. Minister of Health and Wellness Christopher Tufton gave an update on the situation at this evening’s press briefing… You may well recall that … More CCRP Jamaica Expresses Concern at COVID-19 Outbreak at Golden Age Home

COVID-19 Update from Jamaica: Golden Age Home, Mustard Seed, and More

The Ministry of Health and Wellness held two press briefings this week – the first, with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, was to break the news of the outbreak at the Golden Age Home in Kingston. First of all, our latest COVID numbers (which are posted daily after 10:00 a.m. on the … More COVID-19 Update from Jamaica: Golden Age Home, Mustard Seed, and More