Jamaica

Jamaica reported its first case of COVID-19 on March 10, 2020 and has since recorded more than 90,000 cases and 2,300 deaths as of November 17, 2021. The country’s third wave—fueled by new variants and the re-opening of the tourism sector—is levelling the most serious threat to health system capacity. In this context, challenges remain to effectively respond to the pandemic and maintain essential health services.  

LHSS is working with the government of Jamaica and private sector stakeholders to leverage existing private sector models to reduce the strain on the public sector and strengthen the country’s COVID-19 response. We are working to: 

• Increase equitable access to and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines 
• Address vaccine hesitancy 
• Reduce morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 
• Reinforce private health sector resiliency to effectively respond to the pandemic while maintaining essential health services 

Our work will expand access to vaccinations among vulnerable and low-income populations through the private sector, vaccinate populations who prefer to receive a vaccine from their private provider, and more effectively leverage the private sector in both the current and future health emergencies.