KINGSTON, Jamaica — Former prime ministers PJ Patterson and Bruce Golding have joined the list of Jamaicans who have so far received the COVID-19 vaccine this morning.

Golding and his wife Lorna were vaccinated at the Good Samaritan Inn about 9:30 with Patterson being vaccinated a short while later.

Addressing members of the media after he was vaccinated Golding said the process was simple and painless.

He urged Jamaicans to take the vaccine as soon as it becomes available to them.

“Don’t pay any attention to the propaganda, conspiracy theories…. and all this rubbish.

“If we do not take the vaccine which will give us herd immunity across the country we won’t be able to get back to normal, added Golding, as he welcomed the opportunity to be vaccinated in the first batch, “although I was prepared to wait”.

For his part, Patterson applauded the Government for the start of the vaccine roll out.

“I have taken the vaccine because I see it as the best opportunity to protect myself,” said Patterson.

He also called on Jamaicans, particularly those over the age of 65, to take the vaccine at the earliest opportunity.

Former Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall and his wife are among those scheduled to be vaccinated at the Good Samaritan Inn today.

Arthur Hall