The Health Ministry says approximately 20 thousand children, 12 years and older got their first jabs of the Pfizer vaccine in the first two days of vaccination activities targeted at students.

The ministry had stated that children 12 and older with co-morbidities, those 15 to 18 years old, as well as their parents, teachers and other education workers, would be prioritized for vaccination at this time.     Speaking with IRIE FM  News Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dunstan Bryan, gave an update on the activities.

He said as at 4 pm on Sunday, two-thirds of the target set had been achieved.

Vaccination of students 12 years and older will continue through to Tuesday, August 24, after which vaccination for the general population resumes on Wednesday, August 25.

Meanwhile, the Parish Manager for the St. Ann Health Department, Nadia Nunes, said some 2,150 individuals were vaccinated over the weekend across the parish.

She said the turnout of students at the various vaccination sites was encouraging.

Miss Nunes noted that vaccination activities will continue in Ocho Rios on Tuesday.

She added that parents who want to be vaccinated alongside their children will be given that opportunity.

In the meantime, Education Minister Fayval Williams, says the covid-19 vaccination blitz for children, 12-18 years, has been proceeding smoothly at the various designated centres.

Minister Williams visited several vaccination locations over the weekend.  She said she was pleased with the turnout of students and parents.

She added that the numbers will determine how soon school re-opens, and whether or not another blitz is staged.

Mrs Williams said if the extent of the vaccination proceedings administered at Jamaica College and the National Arena, is replicated islandwide, this will bolster the certainty of resuming face-to-face instruction early in the 2021/22 academic year, which starts in September.

The four-day blitz commenced at designated vaccination sites islandwide on Saturday and is slated to conclude tomorrow.

Students, 12-18 years, are being inoculated with the Pfizer vaccine, which is approved for this age cohort.