Guyana is set to receive 33,600 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from the COVAX facility on Monday March 29th, boosting the government’s plans to begin vaccinating persons over 40 from Wednesday March 31.
Over the last few weeks, Georgetown had reported silence from the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) COVAX facility on how much of the badly needed vaccines would be supplied to Guyana and when. Yesterday, the PAHO/WHO website stated that 33,600 doses of the AstraZeneca jab are in transit to Guyana and the shipment is expected on Monday.
Guyana was originally expecting an initial total of 108,000 but COVAX has experienced severe supply problems and has had to reduce allocations until the supply chain is less encumbered. The situation has been compounded by India’s recent decision to halt large exports from its Serum Institute because of rising domestic needs.
The 33,600 doses – two per person – would allow the government to fully vaccinate 16,800 persons or alternatively enable the first jab for 33,600 persons while awaiting more of the AstraZeneca vaccines from COVAX.
At the moment Guyana is using up 103,000 doses of donated vaccines which could cater for double doses to 51,500 persons.
Aside from the COVAX allocation, Guyana is expecting a purchase of 200,000 Russian Sputnik 5 vaccines from a company in the United Arab Emirates. A shipment of 50,000 of these vaccines is expected next week. The 200,000 doses would be able to inoculate 100,000 persons. Guyana is also seeking other supply deals with China and India and vaccine manufacturers.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health on its Facebook page yesterday announced that vaccination of over 40 persons will begin on March 31st. President Irfaan Ali had announced on Wednesday that this would begin next week.
The Ministry said that persons over 40 would have to present a valid form of ID. At the moment, persons over 60 and health care workers are being vaccinated across the country.
