According to the Health and Wellness Ministry, five patients have had adverse reactions after taking the COVID-19 vaccine in Jamaica.
Dr. Melody Ennis, Director of Family Health Services says a death is being investigated.
Additionally, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jacquiline Bisasor Mckenzie says regardless of being vaccinated persons will continue to die from other illnesses after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
So far the Ministry says it’s younger persons who are reporting the most side effects after taking the vaccine. In Europe, some countries have taken the decision to suspend use of the AstraZeneca vaccine to persons 30 years and younger due to rare blood clot incidents.
Meanwhile, National Epidemiologist, Dr. Karen Webster Kerr, says there have been several areas of decrease over the last two weeks as the country continues to manage the health crisis.
She notes the reproduction rate now stands at 0.9%, which means an infected person on average will infect less than one person.
More than 135, 000 Jamaicans have been vaccinated, which according to Health Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton represents 7% of the target for this fiscal year.
To date, the National Epidemiologist say, almost every community in Jamaica has had reported cases of the coronavirus.
Christeen Forbes reports for CVM Live:
