KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Ministry of Health and Wellness says over the next two weeks, the primary focus is to have health care workers and members of the Jamaica Defence Force and Jamaica Constabulary Force vaccinated.

“Therefore, over the aforementioned timeframe, the vast majority of appointments will be reserved for this crucial segment of the population which is on the frontline of the nation’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry also noted that there may be instances where the opening of a vial will leave a surplus of vaccines which must be used.

“This may present the opportunity over the next two weeks to have members of the elderly cohort of the population vaccinated; in particular those stationed at homes which care for the elderly,” the statement read.

“Consequently, in order to prevent wastage of the surplus of vaccines, which is a possibility if there is an open vial, a list of persons aged 60 years and older is being generated at these facilities which care for the elderly. When a surplus exists due to an opened vial, senior citizens on this list may then be contacted to come in and take this vaccine within an hour – this will be done based on vaccine availability in the different locations,” it added.

“It is important to note that a vial contains 10 doses of the vaccine. Once the vial is opened, all vaccines must be used within six hours. Hence in an effort to minimise wastage if a vial is opened and not all vaccines are used up by healthcare workers, the elderly will be inoculated with the remaining vaccines,” it continued.

The ministry said its vaccination policy is guided by World Health Organization empirical science-oriented findings which identify health care workers and the elderly among the most vulnerable groups.

The ministry said it is encouraged by the number of health care workers who have taken the vaccines so far.