Monkeypox vaccine set to arrive this month

The first set of vaccines to treat the Monkeypox disease is expected to arrive on the island this month, says Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton.

“We have a priority group that will be targeted, similarly to what we [did] with the COVID-19 [vaccine distribution], and once they arrive, we will offer it to that group,” he told JIS News.

This comes as the island has recorded its fifth case of the disease, just before the beginning of the 2022/23 school year.

Speaking at the Open House & Exhibition ceremony for the rehabilitation of public health facilities in St. Catherine, held at the Church of the Open Bible in Twickenham Park on Wednesday, August 31, Dr Tufton called on parents to be vigilant.

“If there is any problem at all, go to your parish health office or report to your school nurse,” he added.

Dr Tufton advised that the same health and safety protocols that were in place to manage the spread of the COVID-19 virus within schools will also be maintained throughout the new school year.

These include abiding by social-distancing protocols, wearing masks, frequent handwashing and designated areas for sanitisation on school grounds, among others.

-JIS NEWS-

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