SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — Chief medical officer (CMO) for Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital Dr Marcia Graham has provided tips for those receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. It ranges from items needed, what to wear to how much time the process will take.

“When coming to get your vaccine, ensure that you pre-hydrate, wear clothing that will allow you to bare your upper arm fairly quickly and easily, plan to stay for at least 15 minutes for monitoring after you receive your vaccine, travel with a pen [or] pencil to complete a survey, and please ensure you have Cetamol at home,” Graham said.

She was speaking last Thursday during the monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation. She also gave an update on how the parish’s vaccination process had gone during the roll-out on March 10, using the opportunity to applaud parish residents for what she described as their eagerness to take the jab. Ninety-four health care workers were vaccinated at Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital while 76 people got the jab at Savanna-la-Mar Health Centre. According to Graham, the 170 people vaccinated was a “mixture of health care workers and older persons with co-morbidities”.

The CMO also gave an update on resources available at Savanna-la-mar hospital’s isolation ward.

“We only have 34 beds but we have 39 persons admitted,” she explained. “Eleven are confirmed cases and 28 are suspected cases, and we are still getting new persons who are suspected [of having COVID-19]. It is putting a strain on the hospital. One person is on ventilation, and quite a few on oxygen. The demand for oxygen is going up. With 55 deaths in the western region alone we cannot allow ourselves to let down our guard.”

Pre-jab tips

• Hydrate

• Dress in clothing that allows easy access to your upper arm

• Take a pen or pencil to complete a survey

• Plan to stay for at least 15 minutes for monitoring after you receive the vaccine

• Have Cetamol at home to treat mild side effects if you have them.