Jamaica Lagging Behind in Vaccination Program In comparison with Different Caribbean Islands Says PAHO

Director of the Pan American Well being Group, PAHO, Dr. Carissa Etienne has singled out Jamaica as one among six nations in Latin America and the Caribbean that’s but to vaccinate 20 p.c of its inhabitants.

Her feedback come amid issues of vaccine hesitancy throughout the area.

Each the World Well being Group and PAHO outlined a goal of 40 p.c vaccination for Latin America and the Caribbean nations by December. However to this point, simply over 11 p.c of Jamaicans have been totally vaccinated.

The PAHO Director mentioned that provide delays have affected this system in Jamaica.

“In the present day I wish to highlight these nations in our area which might be lagging and that may require particular consideration to fulfill this 40% vaccination goal. Six nations in our area have but to achieve 20% of their populations: These are Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and Haiti within the Caribbean, and Guatemala and Nicaragua in Central America Throughout all these nations, vaccine availability because of unequal distribution of doses has been a central problem. However many of those nations are dealing with their very own distinctive boundaries. In Jamaica, provide delays have gotten in the best way. And throughout the Caribbean, vaccine hesitancy amongst some teams stays an issue,” Dr Etienne mentioned in a weekly press briefing for PAHO.

Twenty nations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean have already handed that 40 p.c goal.

For the nations which might be lagging, PAHO mentioned it’s working to speed up vaccine deliveries to the area, together with COVAX-procured and donated doses. Jamaica is without doubt one of the nations that may obtain extra vaccine provides within the coming weeks.

“We’re supporting Jamaica, Guatemala, and Nicaragua in finalizing preparations to obtain COVAX and bilateral shipments within the coming weeks,” she mentioned.

“In the previous couple of days, we fast-tracked the supply of a complete of 1.3 million doses that have been donated by Spain, Germany, the USA of America, and Canada. These vaccines are getting used to spice up protection in Honduras, Guyana, Argentina, and Jamaica.”

As extra vaccines develop into accessible, Dr. Etienne has urged Caribbean leaders to implement vaccination insurance policies that match the wants of their inhabitants.