GUYANA has reached a milestone in its COVID-19 vaccination efforts. This is according to the Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, who, over Tuesday, noted that more than 100,000 people across Guyana received the first vaccine injection.
“We’ve had people coming out, our teams going into villages, so I think the health workers who have been on this vaccination campaign have done a wonderful job in achieving this milestone, “Said Dr. Anthony during his coronavirus update on Wednesday with the Department of Public Information.
As Guyana continues to push for herd immunity, the country is recording around 6,000 vaccinations every day. To raise this figure further, Minister Anthony said efforts were being made to accommodate those who are immobile and unable to visit vaccination sites.
“We know there are many people at home; they are in bed and if the people who care for them can contact the regional health officers in the different regions, then we will certainly be able to work out a way to take the vaccines to them, ”said Dr. Anthony.
He added, “We have been able to do those who have been identified to us, but I’m sure there are many more, other people, and from the ministry side, we are always ready to help.”
Minister Anthony also stressed that the vaccines are not restricted to Guyanese; but persons of all nationalities living and / or working within the boundaries of Guyana.
“Our policy now with vaccination right now, is to make sure that whoever is in Guyana and once you are an adult gets the vaccine. So, that’s what we’re working on, ”said Dr. Anthony.
He also noted that herd immunity cannot be achieved by excluding people. “Migrants here would certainly get vaccines, other nationals who work here in different organizations, once they are here for a long time, we would also be able to give them vaccines,” explained Dr. Anthony.
He pointed out that the majority of the adult population is currently able to visit the vaccination sites for their first doses of vaccines. “They’re young, they’re mobile; they are going to go to different parts etc and that’s why we want to make sure everyone is immunized, “Dr. Anthony.
He further emphasized that Guyana still has a long way to go to ensure all adults are immunized, using Wednesday’s update to provide a routine dose of encouragement for people aged 18 and over to visit the various vaccination sites for their first injections of vaccine. the vaccine. He stressed that although the vaccines do not prevent infections, it has been shown to significantly reduce virus severity, once contracted. “… Which is more important, so that you don’t end up in hospital; you would not be in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit), and you will not die from COVID, ”Dr. Anthony. Responding to questions relating to the procurement of vaccines from India, the Health Minister highlighted that the Asian nation is currently battling a notable outbreak in COVID-19 and related deaths.
“It is challenging for India to export vaccines to other countries, at this time,” said Dr. Anthony. He assured, however, that Guyana had secured enough vaccines for its programs.
The minister also said “We continue to maintain relationships with other countries to make sure that if more is needed, we can tap into those resources.”
To date, it has secured 265,000 vaccines, available nationwide in the national vaccination campaign.