The government has budgeted about 6 billion dollars towards the acquisition of COVID vaccines, with the intention of inoculating 2 million people.  The announcement of the allocation was made in parliament Thursday day by Finance Minister Dr. Nigel Clarke.

Having put aside the funds for the vaccine, the focus now is on securing the number of doses needed, considering that vaccine availability is limited due to high global demand.

The Health Ministry has begun talks with several suppliers, in a bid to get more vaccines separate from the batch to be distributed under the COVAX facility.

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton said the narrative is no longer about if Jamaica can afford the vaccines.

He noted that the aim is to get 3 point 5 million doses this year.