Ce’cile, Macka Diamond Ready To Be Vaccinated

As many continue to be doubtful of the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, two more Dancehall stars, Ce’cile and Macka Diamond, have made it clear that they will be getting it as soon as it becomes available.

They join their male counterparts Shaggy, who was one of the first to confirm that he would be taking the vaccine once it became available, and Bounty Killer. In December 2020, Shaggy told the Jamaica Observer that he would “deh a di front a the line.” While just a few days ago, Bounty also made his pro-vaccine sentiments about the vaccine clear on an Instagram promoting a tour with Beenie Man in Spain, later this year.

However, it seems the general sentiment on the island is a distrust for the vaccine, as many question how fast the scientific community came up with it, and whether enough time was allowed for testing. For some Dancehall artists though, the vaccine represents hope that the entertainment industry may get a chance to reopen and travel may once again become normalized.

Macka Diamond, who over the years has made several personal changes towards living a healthier lifestyle told the Jamaica Star that she is unbothered by what people think and will accept the vaccine if given the chance.

“I don’t care what nobody want seh; I am ready. I don’t eat meat, I am a vegetarian, a fruitarian, I am everything that is healthy, so my body is in good shape and ready for it,” she said. She added that the vaccine was the only logical way forward to getting back to touring.

“I don’t want anybody to keep telling me it is wrong but cannot explain why. If them come out with a vaccine and the world can come back, and I can get back to doing my show dem, I am good with that. Right now mi hot, and the people dem a call me,” she said.

Her colleague in the Dancehall fraternity spoke with the Jamaica Observer and expressed similar sentiments. Ce’Cile said that she knows how people feel about the vaccine but she also knows that the vaccine is the only way for her to truly return to work.

“I am aware of all the concerns and I am hesitant [just] like everyone else. However, I do not have the luxury of sitting in Jamaica and sleeping while I earn. It’s been a year of sitting…If anything, this pandemic has shown me is that I need to move more aggressive than I have ever been in my life and that means a lot of travelling. Even if I didn’t have to travel, I need to make sure I’m protected. Life needs to get back to normal,” she added.

While she agrees with some that a longer period may have been needed for testing, she does not believe that the world can just sit by and wait for that to happen.

“I simply cannot afford to not take the vaccine. It is what it is. I would have loved for it to be tested maybe for a few more years, unfortunately, we don’t have that time. I simply do not have a choice, for me it makes sense. So yes, I will be taking the vaccine,” she continued.

She also encouraged people to keep adhering to the safety protocols that have been implemented as Jamaica continues to grapple with a rise in cases just a little after a year of the onset of the coronavirus.

The Jamaican government received 50, 000 doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine from the Indian government last Monday, March 8.

As of today, March 10, Jamaica has recorded 27,465 cases of the deadly virus with 460 deaths. The government hopes to start vaccinating healthcare workers today and has planned to administer at least 3,280 shots.