Kingston, Jamaica, February 9, 2022 (PAHO) – Jamaica welcomed its first shipment of Pfizer vaccines from the Republic of France on Monday, February 7. The vaccines which were procured under the COVAX mechanism will arrive in two tranches totaling 650,000 doses.
Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness, Senator the Hon. Leslie Campbell, State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, His Excellency Olivier Guyonvarch, Ambassador of the French Republic to Jamaica and Mr. Ian Stein, PAHO/WHO Representative to Jamaica, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands were on hand to witness the arrival of the first shipment at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.
“France is strongly committed to helping to accelerate vaccination everywhere in the world and will give 120 million doses worldwide by the summer of 2022. 73 million doses have already been delivered. This delivery today in Jamaica is part of this solidarity effort,” shared His Excellency Olivier Guyonvarch, Ambassador of the French Republic to Jamaica while speaking at the official handover ceremony, held at the airport.
He continued, “Since the start of the pandemic, France has promoted equitable and universal access to vaccines, in all countries. Thus, France was the first country to donate doses of vaccines under the COVAX mechanism and remains the second largest donor in the world.”
On March 1, 2021, countries of the Americas began receiving vaccines through the COVAX Mechanism, a global effort between Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), GAVI, UNICEF, PAHO, and WHO, to ensure equitable access to immunization throughout the world. The PAHO Revolving Fund is the mechanism designated by COVAX to procure the vaccines on behalf of the countries in the region.
Mr. Ian Stein, PAHO/WHO Representative in Jamaica, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands welcomed the donation and France’s continued confidence in the COVAX mechanism, “PAHO remains committed to supporting coordination efforts to improve equitable access to vaccines. Today’s donation by the Republic of France, through the COVAX mechanism, serves as a palpable representation of what is possible through international collaboration.”
Receiving the donation on behalf of the Government of Jamaica, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, Minister of Health and Wellness said, “We are grateful for this donation, as we continue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and a key component to that response is the administration of vaccines that will help to reduce the severity and impact of the virus on our health, social and economic well-being – individually and as a country. This donation of vaccines will now be added to the pool of vaccines that are available in country. While we have several brands available, the best vaccine is the one that is available to you.”
As at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 7, a total of 1,319,978 doses have been administered in Jamaica – First Dose 667,791; Second Dose 546,097; Single Dose 83,050: Immunocompromised Dose 2,110: Booster Shots 20,930.
State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Leslie Campbell, thanked the Government of France for the donation and stated that it will help to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two countries. “It is especially reassuring that this is taking place as both our countries look to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, later this year on 6th August – the day of our Independence,” he said.
For his part, Mr. Ian Stein reiterated PAHO's support for Jamaica’s health priorities, "the PAHO Jamaica Country Office continues to work with the Ministry of Health and Wellness on initiatives to improve cold chain capacity, information and communication systems, as well as, to strengthen surveillance systems around detection and reporting of adverse/serious events related to vaccines.”
