Booster shots begin Monday for most Johnson and Johnson recipients
As of Monday, Jamaica will offer a booster shot to all persons 18 years and older who have received a single dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
The booster can be given with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine two to six months after the initial shot or the Pfizer vaccine six months later.
Also, starting Monday, adults 60 years and older and healthcare workers will be given a booster dose of the other COVID-19 vaccines.
The development follows the Ministry's finalisation of its evaluation and benefits analysis of administering an additional dose of the authorised COVID-19 vaccines to key population members.
The Health Ministry recommends that a booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine be offered six months or more after completing the initial amounts of either the Pfizer, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson shots.
The move is in line with a Cabinet decision for boosters to be given to critical populations at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
Those at risk of waning protection who could pose an increased threat of transmission to vulnerable populations also qualify for booster shots.
"These key populations are essential for maintaining health system capacity," said a ministry spokesperson in a statement.
Persons eligible for a booster shot are to visit the nearest vaccination site with their vaccination card and Government-issued ID.
The Ministry also reminds the public that an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccines is recommended for moderately to severely immunocompromised individuals.
This will be an additional dose of a COVID-19 vaccine already received and should be administered eight weeks after the last dose.
The Ministry said that other population members would continue to monitor the evidence and make additional recommendations accordingly closely.
Meanwhile, the Ministry encourages people to visit the vaccine sites amid the Omicron variant seen as highly transmissible...
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