New Government given first jab to vaccinated over 4,000 children in 5-11 age group

Since the new Government entered office in 2020, they have procured 52, 800 doses of the US-made Pfizer vaccine, thus resulting in over 4, 000 children between the 5 and 11 years age group have been vaccinated with their first jab.

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, speaking during Thursday’s COVID-19 update, noted that a closer collaboration with parents is necessary to get more children vaccinated against the deadly Covid-19 virus. “We can do much better than that, but we require the collaboration of parents because we cannot go and administer a vaccine to a child without parental consent,” he said.

Minister Anthony urged the general public that children can also be infected with COVID-19. He explained that those with comorbidities can experience the severe form of the virus, as such vaccination is important to boost their immunity.

“For some children they can get severe infections and we’ve had on occasions children coming into the hospitals, those particular children were vulnerable because they had other underlying illnesses,” the minister said.

Dr. Anthony revealed that the Pfizer vaccine is especially tailored for children 5 to 11 years old and is administered in a two-dose schedule.

Minister Anthony issued an appeal to parents and guardians to visit one of the vaccination sites and get their child or children inoculated.

Additionally, he stressed that in every region across the country, vaccines are available for this younger population. The minister said that apart from this, the ministry continues to host drive- through exercises for easier access to vaccination.

The health minister disclosed that pediatric vaccines were donated by the Spain Government and was officially handed over by Ambassador to Guyana, H.E, Fernando Nogales Alvarez, to Minister Anthony on June 6.

Further, he said that COVID-19 vaccines are currently being administered in three categories; the 5 to 11 age group, 12 to 17 age cohort, and persons 18 years and older.

The health minister added that since the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given emergency use authorisation for the immunisation of children six months to four years old, the ministry is currently seeking to procure the vaccines for its younger population.