KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Ministry of Health and Wellness on Wednesday issued a statement advising the vulnerable members of society to take the second dose of the COVID-19 booster shot as there has been recent confirmation of the globally dominant and highly transmissible Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants in Jamaica.

The Ministry advised that this second booster should be given to healthcare workers, people over 60-years-old and members of the public with immunocompromising conditions.

“An additional booster dose will offer protection from infection and severe outcomes associated with COVID-19, particularly to members of highest risk groups,” the statement said.

The Ministry also outlined that those who received the Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines should receive a second booster of the Pfizer vaccine at least four months after receiving the first booster dose.

For those who took the Sinopharm vaccine, they are to receive a second dose of that vaccine four months after the first booster dose.

“To receive the booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, members of the public are invited to visit any of the Ministry’s access points for vaccination. Individuals should take their vaccination card and government-issued identification or letter from a Justice of the Peace,” the statement said.