EDITOR’S NOTE: In the last week of January 2021, #HealthCaribbean started a series on delivery of vaccines within the Caribbean: Independent nations compared to Overseas Territories of U.S.A., Britain and European nations. It was noted that whereas independent nations were awaiting deliveries, overseas territories had already commenced vaccination.

In this issue, HealthCaribbean starts a new series that revisits that topic, but focusing on vaccination this time around. This will be a two-part series which we commence today looking on the independent nations of Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Guyana. The following issue will address vaccinations in the overseas territories.

Some independent Caribbean nations are yet to commence vaccinations, but none have received deliveries under the COVAX initiative to date. So, commencement has, atleast for the mostly English-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM), been dependent on the generosity of India: the world’s largest producer of vaccines.

In our headline, Jamaica commenced vaccinations yesterday: the anniversary of its first COVID-19 case being diagnosed. This was made possible by a donation of 50,000 doses from India, which arrives two days prior. Jamaica will probably be first to receive its doses under the COVAX initiative: with a shipment of 14,400 doses which was expected today 11 March 2021.

To set this in perspective, the Dominican Republic bought vaccines from China, and has vaccinated 400,000 persons already and is awaiting another shipment. Guyana has gotten vaccine from both China and India. It is expecting to receive all the vaccine it needs by the end of the year. Jamaica hopes to vaccinate half its population by this time next year.

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