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Jamaica Launches COVID-19 Vaccinations

VOA News

   Jamaica is launching its massCOVID-19 vaccinations Wednesday, with
   healthcare workers being the first of more than 3,280 people toget
   their shots.

   The vaccination program is getting underway as Prime Minister Andrew
   Holness warnsthere will be a national lockdown if the COVID-19 safety
   protocols do not slow down infections over the next three weeks.

   Holness issued the warningMondayafter accepting 50,000 doses from
   India.

   Theprimeminister alsoappeared to singleout people who put their
   interest ahead public safety, saying people who need"to party and 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."

   Jamaica'sChief Medical Officer,Dr.JacquelineBisasorMcKenzieisnow urging
   people to avoid non-essentialmovement.

   Shemade the appealduring aradiointerviewMonday,saying investigators are
   seeing more workplace clusters of infections and adding thatmore people
   link their exposure to transportation.She said people need to be off
   the street if they don't need to be there.

   So far, Jamaica hasconfirmed 26,904infections and 454 deaths, according
   to Johns Hopkins University CovidResource Center.

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