Over 15,000 persons have so far been vaccinated against COVID-19, according to Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, who says the ongoing countrywide immunisation programme is going well so far.
“…To date we have done 15,524 immunisations across the country. I think it’s going well. I think more and more people are coming out,” Anthony said during Friday’s COVID-19 update, while adding that there are certain areas that need improvement.
One of the areas where he said the outreach can be improved is in Linden, in Region 10, where the authorities are seeking to have more of the community come out to be vaccinated. “I think we need to get more of the community out and we need people of influence in Linden to advocate for the vaccine because as you know once you are immunised it protects you from getting the more severe forms of COVID,” he said.
As a result, he highlighted the fact that a number of persons from Region Ten have gotten infected with severe forms of the virus and there have also been deaths prior to the rollout of vaccines in the country. This, he mentioned, can now be prevented if persons take the vaccine. Three of the 44 new cases reported yesterday were recorded in Region Ten.
With bringing persons of influence on board, he said he was hopeful to see an uptake of the vaccines in Linden.
Apart from that he added that many persons have been coming forward to be inoculated and the ministry is so far pleased. “We will be ramping up the roll out because we want as much people as possible and in the fastest way possible to get this. Because once they get the vaccine that protection starts and we are eager to put these vaccines in people’s arms rather than keeping it in one of the freezers that we have,” he said.
He also mentioned that once the first phase of vaccination is completed – targeting healthcare workers in both the private and public sectors and persons 60 years and above — the next stage would be to possibly go to persons who are 50 years and above.
“We will drop subsequently but we still have quite a number of the 60 and above to reach and while we have fixed sites we understand that people have some challenges in getting to those sites,” he said.
Further, the ministry, he said, is now working along with Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to identify the persons in their areas who are bedridden or are shut in to then have special teams sent out to administer their shots.
Priority groups
Meanwhile, the ministry last evening issued an advisory from ministry advisor Dr. Leslie Ramsammy emphasising that the ongoing national immunisation programme is only intended for health workers in the public and private sectors and persons age 60 and over in 2021. “The Ministry of Health will strictly enforce the criteria for vaccination. It is important, therefore, for all persons to present their ID cards to establish their age or have an ID card to establish they are health workers,” it said.
It added that over the next week and until further notice, the vaccination programme will continue to focus on these priority groups, while noting that the ministry of Health will advise when the next priority group will be added to the list.
Although no explanation was given for the advisory, it comes amidst reports that vaccines have been administered to persons who do not belong to the priority groups.
