Over 111,000 persons receive first Covid vaccines

– as vaccination campaign continues

– Min. Anthony

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony says over 111,000 individuals have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as persons continue to turn up at vaccination sites countrywide to get immunised.

The Minister made this statement during Friday’s COVID-19 update.

“As of yesterday, we now have 111, 825 persons who have received their first dose of vaccines. And those that would have been fully immunised, we now have 1,771 persons. So, I think the vaccination campaign is going well. We want to increase these numbers,” he said.

Persons who are considered fully immunised against contracting a severe form of Covid are those who have received both doses of their vaccine.

Minister Anthony said Guyana has a large quantity of vaccines and the Government continues to encourage the public to get inoculated.

“It doesn’t make sense that you have the vaccines and have them in storage. The only way that vaccines would help people is if you get it in people’s arms and that’s what we’re trying to do.

So, any organisation, NGO, faith-based who want to partner with us, please reach out to us so that we can work with you to get the vaccines into people’s arms,” he said.

As Government pushes to get more persons vaccinated, Minister Anthony acknowledged that there are some challenges reaching sections of the population in some far-flung regions.

“In Regions Eight and Seven, they are posing some peculiar [difficulties] because with Region Eight, the mountains and so forth have been challenging for the health team. Nevertheless, teams have been going out and reaching out to villages.”

However, he said, every adult can access vaccines at sites set up countrywide.

Covid vaccine and malaria

Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony advises persons who are being treated for vector-transmitted diseases such as malaria, against taking the Covid vaccine until the treatment is finished.

“We would prefer that if you are on treatment that you complete that treatment and once the treatment is completed, that we will give you the vaccine. So, it is better you finish your treatment.”

However, persons suffering from chronic diseases and those with comorbidities are encouraged to get immunised.

“If you were diabetic or hypertensive, you continue with your treatment and you can receive your vaccine. In the cases of these infectious diseases like malaria, we’ll prefer you to finish your treatment that is ongoing. And once you finish your treatment, then we will give you the vaccine.” Dr. Anthony also said people who have received their Covid vaccine can donate blood as soon as 24 hours after taking the jab.