Around 22,000 frontline workers are expected to make up the first recipients of COVID-19 vaccines in Guyana, according to Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony.
Speaking during a COVID-19 update that was broadcast yesterday, Anthony noted that the vaccines that Guyana will receive from the World Health Organisation’s COVAX facility will be able to vaccinate 52,000 persons. He noted that the elderly and persons with comorbidities would make up the second category of persons in line to receive vaccines.
“So we have more persons in those categories at present with the vaccines that we’re getting from COVAX. We are making other arrangements to be able to acquire vaccines and therefore we should have enough vaccines to take care of the elderly and the persons with comorbidities,” he said.
On Monday Anthony had announced that Guyana is expected to receive around 104,000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19, which would cover the inoculation of 52,000 persons.
Anthony added that the health authorities are optimistic that Guyana will have additional vaccines to be able to cover all persons in the secondary categories. When vaccinations are completed for frontline workers, the elderly and those with comorbidities, he explained, the remainder of the population would then be given the option of vaccination.
“But again because the vaccines are not mandatory there might be persons who would not want to take it and therefore it frees up a vaccine for another person,” he pointed out.
However, he advised that persons take the vaccine when it is rolled out as it would help to minimise the infection and further reduce their chances of being hospitalised.
Meanwhile, when asked about the progress of the donation of vaccines from China, the health minister revealed that Guyana is expected to receive the Sinopharm vaccine which has an efficacy of 79.34%. “The vaccine that we have been told that we will be getting… is the Sinopharm Vaccine,” he indicated, while mentioning it that it has been donated to several countries.
The minister said that the vaccine has been given emergency use authorisation in a number of countries across the world, including countries in the Middle East and Argentina and Brazil in South America. He revealed arrangements are currently being concluded for the donation.
