#GetTheFacts #GetTheVax
Not Sure About the COVID-19 Vaccine? Get the Facts, Then Decide.
If lies and myths about the vaccines spread so much that many
people decide not to get vaccinated, more people could die and the pandemic
will last longer. It’s important to check out claims that you hear, with
reputable sources of information, and share good information with others. It
will take all of us to fight back against deadly misinformation.
Vaccine safety is always a top priority, and this is no different for COVID-19 vaccines. All vaccines go through clinical trial phases before they are approved for use in the population. These trials aim to ensure the safety and ability of the vaccine to protect against the disease (efficacy).
The vaccines that are being developed against COVID-19 are following these same phases. COVID-19 vaccines will not be approved or introduced in countries for use in the general population until their safety has been proven to regulatory agencies. Likewise, WHO will not grant an Emergency Use Listing until it has analyzed all of the trial data. After COVID-19 vaccines are approved, monitoring for safety continues. This monitoring is a normal part of immunization programs and is done for all vaccines.
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Ministry of Health Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Data Collection Exercise
20th May 2021
The Ministry of Health, Wellness & The Environment has intensified its data collection exercise from persons who would have been vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine (AstraZeneca). The Ministry is aware of the likelihood that persons having received the vaccine may experience some side effects, which are a part of any vaccine administration.
The Ministry is therefore advising the public that a group of individuals has been tasked with contacting persons who have been vaccinated via telephone to collect this information. It is important to note that data collection post vaccination has been an ongoing exercise with the assistance of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (WHO/PAHO) through which the Ministry of Health and by extension the government procures all vaccines used in the Expanded Program on Immunization.
The data collected will be analysed by the Ministry of Health and shared with the public. The findings from the analysed data will also be periodically shared with regional and international public health partners including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization PAHO/WHO .
If you had any concerning vaccination symptoms following your COVID-19 vaccine, speak with your physician or call the COVID-19 hotline at 462-6843 weekdays only, to report your reaction and to seek guidance.
COVID-19 Second Dose Officially Commences with Front Line Workers
The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and the Environment is pleased to announce the official rollout of the second dose administration of the COVID-19 vaccination for the public.
Leading the charge will be the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Rhonda Sealy-Thomas, along with Principle Nursing Officer, Sister Margaret Smith, Medical Director of the Mount St. John’s Medical Center (MSJMC), Dr. Albert Duncan, and healthcare workers at the MSJMC, in live coverage of their vaccination process on Wednesday 12th May 2021 from 10 AM.
Subsequent to administering the second dose to healthcare workers, Members of the Cabinet will receive their second dose on Thursday 13th May 2021 at the Office of the Prime Minister, Queen Elizabeth Highway. Retired parliamentarians will also receive their second dose at Parliament Building on Saturday, 15th May 2021.
Health officials are reminding members of the public that it is important to obtain the second dose to increase the efficacy of the vaccine and boost protection against COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccine prevents serious illness, hospitalization, and death.
The general public is asked to pay attention to dates given within their vaccination card for their second dose. They are invited to return to the centers where they received their first dose. For persons who received their first dose at the Sir Novelle Richards Academy, they can receive their second dose at the Precision Center, Paynters. The other vaccination sites are located at the Multipurpose Cultural and Exhibition Centre, the Glanvilles Polyclinic, and the Villa Polyclinic.
First dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will still be administered at all vaccination centers.
A subsequent announcement will be made for the second dose schedule for uniformed bodies and targeted groups