Some Western St.Thomas residents are alleging the pandemic is being used as a campaign strategy there despite the rising infections and hospitalizations. These as residents complain vaccination sites are being adorned with political garb and colours of the governing Jamaica Labour Party, (JLP).

Despite recording the first confirmed case of the COVID-19, Councillor caretaker for the Yallahs Division in St. Thomas, Marivn Clarke says the parish has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country to date. The Councilor caretaker is calling for a greater push for vaccination blitz and more sites in the parish.

Clarke says while residents are inclined to getting the jab, they are hampered by several factors. He noted that person were at the vaccination site up to 8 pm trying to register to get their jabs the following day when the site would have been moved to the Baptist church in the area.

The Western St.Thomas residents are also bashing the governing party of politicizing the vaccination and COVID-19 response in the eastern parish, this ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit to the parish Wednesday, September 1.

Clarke is urging stakeholders to steer clear of such behaviour in the interest of partnership and saving lives.

More in this CVM Live story from Neika Lewis: