The Ministry of Health yesterday began vaccinating persons sixty years and older with both the Oxford- AstraZeneca Covishield, and Chinese Sinopharm vaccines at the Vreed-en-Hoop Health Centre, West Bank Demerara, the Enmore Polyclinic on the East Coast of Demerara and other centres across the country.
The three-day immunisation exercise became possible with the recent donation of the vaccines to Guyana.
Stabroek News during a visit to the Enmore location was informed of the protocols when persons arrived to be vaccinated.
An official explained that persons are first screened and assessed to determine eligibility for the vaccination. It was stated that the process is brief and that valid identification is necessary when visiting the site, in order to determine the age of the individual. Before being vaccinated, the recipient is registered and receives a vaccination card. This card shows the return date for the issuing of the second dosage of the vaccine as well as the name of the vaccine given.
It was further stated by the official that the return date for an individual to be vaccinated with their second dose varies according to the vaccine received.
It was explained that the AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine is given a time frame of 12 weeks apart, while the Sinopharm vaccine ranges from 21 to 28 days apart.
As a precautionary measure, health care workers are advising persons who were vaccinated within the last four weeks to wait a period of one month before being vaccinated again. In addition, all those who took filaria pills during the recent campaign are being asked to wait for at least 28 days before getting vaccinated.
Persons who were vaccinated at the facility yesterday were kept under observation for approximately 15 minutes before being allowed to leave.
At the time of Stabroek News’ visit to the clinic, approximately 32 persons had been vaccinated while others awaited their turn in a sitting area outside.
However, no permission was granted for officials to disclose how many persons were vaccinated during the exercise yesterday. According to the supervisor in charge, permission was needed from the Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony before disclosing details regarding the vaccinating exercise.
However, permission was granted by Region Three Regional Health Officer (RHO) Erica Forte to conduct interviews with persons receiving the vaccines.
One senior, Roopram Sooknauth, in an invited comment told Stabroek News that it felt great to be vaccinated and expressed his joy at the vaccine arriving at the Region Three location in such a timely manner.
The 65-year-old spoke of his intention to inform others of the outreach and encourage them to be vaccinated. He noted that the vaccination was not painful and there is nothing to be afraid of. While he himself has not experienced any side effects, he mentioned that there are others who stated that they have and added that time will tell.
Sooknauth is scheduled to return in June to receive his second dose of the vaccination.
A woman who was also vaccinated at the said health centre stated that she felt okay for the time being after receiving the vaccine. The vaccination makes her feel somewhat safer, she expressed.
Sharda Barclay, a frontline health care worker was also among those vaccinated at the Vreed-en-Hoop facility.
This newspaper was also able to elicit comments from persons vaccinated at the Enmore Polyclinic.
A 79-year-old pensioner in a brief comment shared his joy for the timely manner in which the vaccines came. The man explained that the vaccine aids in eliminating the fear of contracting the virus and that he is happy to be receiving his shot. He also expressed confidence in the vaccine he received.
Lorene Vanita Peters, while awaiting her turn to be vaccinated stated that she was excited to be receiving her vaccine. The 68-year-old woman explained that being immunised is a means of safeguarding herself. She opined that the vaccines would not have been introduced to the public if they were not safe. She received word about the vaccination outreach earlier yesterday and she too is encouraging others to take part.
Samsaran Videnauth, 72, believes that if persons had paid more attention to the seriousness of the virus, things would not have reached this far. He is also happy to be fortunate enough to be vaccinated. Several other persons present at the clinic commented that they were happy to be receiving the vaccine.
In a notice on its Facebook page, the Ministry said that vaccinations will occur on Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
It identified the following locations:
-Mabaruma District Hospital
-Port Kaituma Hospital
-Charity Hospital
-Suddie Regional Hospital
-Vreed-en-Hoop Health Centre
-New Amsterdam Health Centre
-Skeldon Regional Hospital
-Enmore Polyclinic
-Bartica Health Centre
-Mahdia District Hospital
-Lethem Health Centre
-Annai Health Centre
There was no indication of a site in Georgetown but the notice said that additional locations will be announced shortly.
