COVID-19 Vaccination Task Force Presents Preliminary Recommendations

  • The National COVID-19 Vaccination Operationalization Task Force has presented its preliminary findings and recommendations to Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, and Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton. 
  • The mandate of the Task Force is to examine and optimise the operational and logistical aspects of the national vaccination programme from end to end. Some of the areas of focus include the improvement of the operation of vaccination sites, the development of strategies to recruit suitable personnel to enhance the delivery of vaccination services, engaging with various stakeholders to encourage and facilitate participation, and to make recommendations for an internationally accepted authentication of Jamaica’s vaccine delivery systems. 
  • The task force, which is chaired by President and Chief Executive Officer of the Port Authority of Jamaica, Professor the Hon. Gordon Shirley, is currently finalising its first full report. A commitment has been given for the report to be submitted by the week of October 18-22, following which, the Task Force has indicated a willingness to engage with the public to discuss its recommendations. 
  • The report will provide recommendations for expanding access, mitigating vaccine hesitancy, and improving the seamlessness of the national vaccination programme. Based on the need for urgent action, the Task Force has adopted an agile approach of systematically monitoring and evaluating the vaccination programme and has been providing the Ministry of Health & Wellness with critical evidence-based recommendations, which have contributed to improving accessibility and making the experience more seamless. 
  • The aim is that upon implementation of these recommendations, the speed of take up of vaccines will increase to progress the country’s vaccination numbers forward to foster a reduction in infection rates and support an easing of restrictions to boost economic activity. Currently 18.7% of the population has received at least one dose of a vaccine.

(Source: JIS News & NCBCM Research)