The fears of some 85,000 Jamaicans who have not yet had an opportunity to receive the second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, completing the vaccination process, will soon be allayed.

According to Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, the ministry is planning on resuming the administration of the Pfizer vaccine as of Monday (November 1).

The health ministry was on September 15 forced to suspend the administration of the jab due to supply shortages in country.

The suspension left some 85,000 Jamaicans who were due to receive their second dose of the jab in the three-week period following their first dose, with many worries that they would need to restart the vaccination process if they did not receive their second dose within a timely manner.

Contrary to such concerns, however, Chief Medical Officer Dr Jacqueline Bisasor-McKenzie has advised that despite the unplanned delay of jab two, citizens due their second dose are still within the eight- to 12-week timeframe that other jurisdictions have implemented as a suitable delay in between jabs.

Speaking during a virtual press conference held earlier today (October 26), the health minister informed that the country was set to receive some 145,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine this week into the weekend.

Following the arrival of the vaccines in country, the ministry would work to put in place the necessary logistics to allow for a resumption of the vaccine administration on Monday (November 1).

Tufton noted that priority in the first instance would be to provide the vaccine to those who have already received a first dose of the jab, following which the vaccine will be administered exclusively to children aged 12 – 18.

The health minister asked that individuals due their second dose of the jab begin to make their vaccine appointments on the ministry’s web portal as of Thursday (October 28).

He urged: “If you don’t have an appointment it is best not to turn up. Because we are prioritising second dosers we will stock at locations the numbers of vaccines that are linked to an appointment.

“We are trying to avoid the rush because we know there is some anxiety out there and you can afford to wait. There is time and over the next week maybe two all the persons who are due their second dose will be able to get that second dose during this period of time.”