Dr Jacquiline Bisasor-McKenzie (File photo)
If a Jamaican should develop any issues from taking the COVID-19 vaccines, lawsuits cannot be filed against the manufacturers to hold them liable for any adverse developments with the products.
According to Jamaica’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Jacqueline Bisasor-McKenzie, the Government has started the process of developing indemnity documents that will protect vaccine manufacturers from being sued by Jamaicans.
Importantly, she indicated at Thursday s Joint Select Committee meeting of Parliament on COVID-19 that all countries intent on obtaining the vaccines must sign these documents before the vaccines are supplied. We are using a new drug, a drug that has emergency use approval in the jurisdiction in which it is manufactured; and so the manufacturers require for there to be some kind of indemnity process that would prevent them from being sued, essentially, if something goes wrong, said Bisasor-McKenzie.
The Government, through Cabinet, has agreed to begin exploring Jamaica’s access to safe vaccines, outside of the COVAX facility.
Additionally, an agreement has been reached to explore bilateral arrangements with countries that have indicated their willingness to partner with Jamaica to ensure the safe vaccination of the population.
This was noted by Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton, on Tuesday, January 12, during the sitting of the House of Representatives.
“The Ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, will begin the process of exploring how we can leverage our international engagements to secure additional supply access for safe vaccines,” Dr. Tufton said.
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