The Health Ministry has sought to assure Jamaicans that the COVID vaccine is safe and effective.

The matter was discussed at length during last evening’s virtual town hall, which was aimed at dispelling any myth or misconception about the vaccine.

The town hall is part of the public education drive being conducted by the Ministry ahead of the roll out of phase one of the vaccination programme in another few weeks.

This in the wake of concern that many Jamaicans are still unsure about the vaccine and this may affect the take-up rate for the vaccine when it becomes available.

Speaking at the town hall, Chief Medical Officer Dr Jacquiline Bisasor Mckenzie said the Ministry is recommending that even persons who contracted the virus and recovered, take the vaccine.

Dr McKenzie also pointed out that measures will be put in place to deal with any adverse reactions to the vaccine.

Meantime, Head of the Caribbean Technical Advisory Group on Immunization Professor Peter Figueroa has sought to quell fears that the vaccine will somehow harm persons of African descent.