The COVID-19 vaccine will be administered free of cost to the public, according to Ministry of Health officials.
Guyana is slated to receive COVID-19 vaccines for 20% of its population through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility (COVAX), however, no word has been given on how the country will acquire more vaccines to cover the other 80%.
When Stabroek News contacted ministry officials to inquire about the plans in place as it relates to the sourcing of the vaccines, spokesman for the Ministry, Daniel Singh said that the stage for a definite plan as it relates to that issue has not yet been reached.
Singh further stated that as it is right now, the government will have to procure and pay for the vaccines needed to cover the other 80% of the country’s population, and that when that time comes, the vaccines will be free of cost to the public. He added, “The government will of course ensure it continues discussions to secure the remaining vaccines needed over and above the 20 per cent.”
Meanwhile, during a COVID-19 update, Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony stated that so far, COVAX has been working with manufacturers to expand its portfolio of vaccines.
“I know there have also been in negotiations with Moderna to see whether or not they will have the possibility of including the Moderna vaccine and be able to access it earlier,” Dr. Anthony stated. He added that even as these things are ongoing, the dynamics as it relates to the vaccine and even the novel coronavirus are changing every day.
“We just have to keep working at this because things relating to COVID changes daily and therefore our source of accessing vaccines so far has been through COVAX and we have been working very closely with them,” the minister said.
