Guyana’s COVID-19 vaccines to be provided by US Gov’t

The Guyana’s COVID-19 vaccines will be provided by the United States (US) Government in moving forward, US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann-Lynch has assured.

Ann-Lynch made the announcement during an event held in commemoration of the US’ 246^th independence anniversary held at the ambassador’s official residence on Thursday evening. She said that Guyana and the US have built a long-standing, supportive development partnership over the years, which has seen collaboration on a number of projects, especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The US Ambassador noted that the US has supported the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, special freezers to properly store the vaccines, provide personal protective equipment (PPEs) and tents to support the ministry’s vaccination response programme, among other forms of assistance.

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony during Friday’s COVID-19 update, expressed his gratitude to the US government. He noted that this will allow every adult and child to be inoculated.

“We’re very pleased with this announcement because it would allow us to continue our vaccination programme, and make sure that every child who requires a vaccine will be able to access one, and every adult who requires a vaccine or a booster shot would be able to access it so we’re very grateful to the Government and people of the United States for this very generous gesture and we’re extremely thankful,” Minister Anthony said.

Dr. Anthony disclosed that the Health Ministry continues its vaccination programme utilising the Sinopharm, Johnson and Johnson and Pfizer vaccines.

The minister said that to date, 86.5 percent of the adult population took the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine while 67 per cent is fully vaccinated.

In terms of the 12 to 17 age cohort, 48.1 percent received the first dose, and 35.1 took both doses. He added that of the five to eleven age group 3.8 percent is vaccinated with the first dose of the US-made Pfizer vaccine.