Old Harbour vaccination site opens this weekend

The site, located at the Lions Civic Centre Old Harbour, will be open to the public on February 12, 2022, between the hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.

It is one of 26 vaccination centres that will be operating on the day across the island, as the government continues its push to inoculate the population against Covid-19.

To date, approximately 23% of the population are fully vaccinated, against the highly infectious and transmissible respiratory virus, a major cause for concern for health officials here.

“Jamaicans are this weekend invited to attend a vaccination site as the Ministry moves to safeguard persons against severe illness, hospitalisation and death associated with COVID-19. Sites will continue offering the four vaccines presently available in country– AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Johnson and Johnson and Pfizer,” the ministry stated in a release this evening.

Elsewhere in the parish, vaccination sites will be accessible at the Linstead Anglican Church, St Jago Park Health Centre, and the Greater Portmore Health Centre. All these vaccination centres will only be operating on February 12.

Meantime, the Sydenham Health Centre will be the sole vaccination site in operation in the parish on February 13, during the hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.

With health experts noting that being vaccinated doesn’t prevent persons from contracting or transmitting the virus, the health ministry is “urging the public to remain vigilant in their adherence to infection prevention and control measures, notably, mask wearing; maintaining a physical distance from others; and frequently washing and/or sanitising hands”.

“These protocols still apply, whether persons have received the first or second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine or a booster,” added the ministry.

Members of the public are also urged to check the ministry of health’s website to know when vaccination sites are available in their locale. For example, vaccination sites such as the Lions Civic Centre here in Old Harbour are open to the public at specific times each month.