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CNMI to receive 100 J&J doses
The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. is set to receive 100 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine today, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s official site.
According to CDC, it says that the CNMI is due for another allocation of the J&J vaccine.
Additionally, Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) announced in his e-kilili newsletter that the additional 100 doses of J&J vaccine will boost the CNMI’s allocation to 600 doses this month. This is in addition to the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines that the CNMI is also getting. The Federal Drug Administration gave emergency use authorization to the J&J vaccine last Feb. 27.
“Having all three vaccines now available should speed immunization islandwide. But don’t hold back waiting for your favorite. Remember: the best vaccine is the one that is available,” said Sablan.
For those who are hesitant to get the vaccine, CHCC chief executive officer Esther Muña says she does respect the hesitation and CHCC staff will be open to guiding an individual to make that decision to get the vaccine or not.
“As the public health official, I do respect the hesitation and it’s quite alright to have questions about its efficacy and its safety. So we want individuals to ask questions and get the answers they need to make an informed decision. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation out there and it’s important that you’re getting them from a source that is accurate and proven,” said Muña.
Muña added that vaccines aren’t new, but it’s different because of the “emergent need.” She said the COVID-19 vaccines are a pathway to getting the CNMI back to the “next normal.”
“We need to remember that the pandemic is not over and, with the new variants, to fight and continue to protect the CNMI, we need everyone’s help to be patient, to be vigilant in practicing 3Ws, and once you’re ready and have all the factual information, do get the protection of the vaccines,” said Muña. “I got it because I want to protect my family, my friends, my staff, and the beautiful people of the CNMI.”
