The Ministry of Health and Wellness has confirmed the country has dumped another 185,000 doses of the Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine, after failing to attract enough takers before the October 31 expiration date.

The wasting of the vaccine will be particularly disappointing to the Andrew Holness administration which has been consistent in its appeals for citizens to utilise the doses before the end of October, after the Government was previously forced to dump almost 60,000 doses that had expired earlier in the month.

With fewer than 20 per cent of the population vaccinated since inoculations got under way last March, the Government has been unable to break through the vaccine hesitancy that has gripped the nation, despite numerous vaccination tours and almost daily engagement with communities by Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

In the meantime, the island’s supply of COVID-19 vaccines is to increase by more than half a million doses, with some 369,000 doses of AstraZeneca arriving in the island on Monday (November 1) at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.

These vaccines doses are a gift from Canada.

PFIZER DOSES TO ARRIVE ON WEDNESDAY

Another 204,000 doses of Pfizer are also expected to arrive in the country tomorrow (November 3).

These vaccines, as previously announced, will be used to inoculate members of the population who are awaiting their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. The balance will be prioritised for children 12-17 years old.

The ministry noted that persons for second dose must schedule an appointment via the online portal at www.moh.gov.jm or call the vaccination centre at 888-ONE-LOVE (888-663-5683).

They will be able to choose their preferred date, time and vaccination centre. Members of the public should take a government-issued identification (school ID for students) or letter from a justice of the peace and their vaccination card to their appointments.