Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton, speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday
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Dr. Christopher Tufton
Jamaica is not yet in a position to begin testing samples locally for the new Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton told the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon that, while Jamaica acquired a genome sequencer in October, training of personnel has not yet started.
"We would have liked to have commissioned this machine earlier, but we have to coordinate with the manufacturers and there is a global demand for the training and the experts who are limited for commissioning this type of machine. And the reports I have from the University Hospital of the West Indies, coordinating with the ministry's personnel, is that in a sense, we're in a queue, but we do expect that those personnel will come in, hopefully over the next week or so, for training to take place," he revealed.
The Health Minister said the government is also in the process of acquiring another genome sequencing machine.
In the interim, Dr. Tufton sought to assure that Jamaica was still sending samples for testing overseas to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).
"This week alone, we have sent some 49 samples to PAHO, 80 to CDC and 20 to CARPHA. In other words, while we await our own capacities, we are sending samples overseas to three locations in this instance, and the tests will be done for all the variants of concern," he advised.
Pfizer for everyone
Dr. Tufton also announced that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be available to all adults as of Wednesday.
He said 50,000 doses are available to be administered.
People wishing to take that vaccine should make an appointment through the Ministry of Health.
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