Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, has set a new target of administering one million jabs or doses of COVID-19 vaccines by November 30, 2021.The new target comes as the Government greatens its efforts to increase vaccine take-up to return the country to normality as soon as possible.
The Prime Minister said the one million jabs target is not impossible, but will require a meticulous strategy and greater focus. “The Government will be redoubling its efforts, right through the country; we will be pulling together our partners, including the unions and the churches to get them to add their voice to their sectors, because they are the influencers.” Holness said.
Speaking at the Mocho Health Centre in Clarendon on Thursday, October 7 as he continued his islandwide vaccination mobilisation and public education campaign aimed at encouraging Jamaicans to take the available vaccines.
Regarding the mandating of the COVID-19 vaccines; Prime Minister Holness noted that the rumors of a divide in Parliament is not true and that the Government is unified. However he added that in these difficult times, there are many different opinions. “…there are many interests, there are many perspectives and the Government can’t simply dictate to do somethings; sometimes you have to have a certain level of patience and understanding with different perspectives.” the Prime Minister said.
However, Holness added that there will come a time when it will be insisted that persons take the vaccine or be restricted in certain ways, he note that this is not as a means to infringe on the rights of persons; but to protect children and those who have greatly suffered. ” The longer we take to bring the pandemic under control and control the virus, is the greater the impact will be on our children and I will not allow that happen… we will respect people’s right and follow the process to to not infringe on anybody’s rights, but the two things can not continue in parallel.’ Holness added.
In addition to the importance of the one million jabs initiative that the Prime Minister noted that Government will undertake, he highlighted that children are a part of the demography that have not been able to voice their own concerns. “Children must go back to school. They have suffered the most, so there will come a time when we will have to insist upon persons taking the vaccines or being restricted,” Mr. Holness stressed.
The Prime Minister noted that freedom is a constitutional right given to citizens they must use it wisely and must not use it to cause harm “your freedom of choice comes with the obligation and duty of consequence. The problem we are facing now in the society is that the people who have taken the vaccine have to bear the consequences for those who do not take it,” the Prime Minister said.
