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Jamaica Set Launch Mass Vaccination Program Following a Recent Spike in
Infections

VOA News

   Jamaica isset to launchits vaccinationprogram against the spread of
   COVID-19 amid an uptick in cases.

   Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dunstan
   Bryan announced Monday that healthcare workers will be the first of
   more than 3,280 people to get their shots on Wednesday.

   PrimeMinister AndrewHolness accepted the first 50,000 dosesof
   vaccinesfrom India on Monday.

   Jamaica is launching its vaccinationprogramas Holness warned there will
   be a national lockdownifthe COVID-19 safety protocolsdo not slow
   infections over the next three weeks.

   DuringMonday'snewsconference, theprimeministeralsosaidthe desire
   ofpeople"to partyand go about not wearing your mask has to be balanced
   against the need against someone who will be deprived of care because
   we simply have no beds,"a reference to people ignoring safety
   protocols.

   So far, Jamaica has confirmeda little more than26,026 infections and
   453 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University CovidResource Center.