Jamaica: Prime Minister Andrew Holness has reiterated that he will be taking a COVID-19 vaccine whenever one becomes available in Jamaica.
This would be a big deal for boosting public confidence in a vaccine which many people have indicated that they will not be taking for various reasons. The actions of those persons are likely to prolong the spread of the coronavirus if enough people refuse to accept the vaccine.
The consensus in the global scientific community is that upwards of 70 per cent of a country’s population must be vaccinated to effectively halt the spread of COVID-19.
To boost public confidence in vaccines in the United States, the country hardest hit by the pandemic with over 16 million infections and over 300,000 deaths, three former presidents, Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Barack Obama have said they will take the jab publicly, while Vice President Mike Pence is to do so on Friday, and President-elect Joe Biden next week.
Holness, who was speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, did not state whether he would take the vaccine publicly. However, he said he would help to boost confidence in the vaccine by taking the shot whenever it is available in Jamaica. He also wants his fellow lawmakers to help boost confidence in the vaccine.
“There is the issue of the acceptance of vaccination and the public education that has to follow along with the logistics and support mobilisation for vaccination. It would help if the opinion leaders in this House would indicate to their constituents that they should take a more embracing and supporting poster towards vaccination,” said the prime minister.
