KINGSTON, Jamaica — Wheel chairs have been in strong demand today as scores of Jamaicans over 75 years old arrived at the National Arena to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

The Ministry of Health has targeted 1,000 people to get the jab today and from shortly after 8:00 am, there has been a steady stream of people into the Corporate Area vaccination centre.

At least six people told the OBSERVER ONLINE that they were over 90 years old, while one person, Fannie Knight said she was 101 years old.

So far, it has been smooth sailing although a number of people who were not registered turned up to take the jab.

“I was glad for the opportunity to get the vaccination today,” said one man who gave his age as 92 but refused to give his name because, “my grandson works in the media and he would not want to see my name or picture in the media”.

Public health officials, who are administering the vaccines, and Minister of Health Dr Christopher Tufton, have told OBSERVER ONLINE that while the process has been smooth so far, they are unable to provide an update on the number of people vaccinated at 1:00 pm, two hours before the scheduled closure time.

Arthur Hall