As of Tuesday, approximately 32,714 persons have been vaccinated as the authorities begin the rollout of the inoculation expansion programme, says Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony.
The minister made this disclosure yesterday during his COVID-19 update. “As of yesterday (Tuesday) we would have completed about 32,714 I think it was, I think we will do far more today because I see a lot of the centres, there are lots of people coming out,” he was quoted as saying.
As he went on to speak on the ongoing programme, he noted that initially, they had wanted to give preference or have as priority, healthcare workers and persons 60 years old and above, and while the authorities had a specific time in which to complete those groups, they are yet to exhaust everyone.
“Now we wanted to give preference to these two groups, we have not exhausted the two groups. There are still persons from that age group or the health workers who have not come forward as yet and therefore as we drop the age it does not exclude [them],” Dr. Anthony assured.
When Stabroek News visited the vaccination site at the Ministry of Health’s compound on Brickdam yesterday afternoon, a number of persons were seen entering and lining up to receive their first shot of a vaccine. An official on site reported that there was a constant flow of persons showing up for vaccinations.
The official added that inoculation for persons 40 years and above started the previous day at that location and patients were not required to go to the site with the screening checklist form filled out as it can be done on site.
Anthony noted that while persons 40 and above are now eligible, it does not mean that persons from the previous categories should be turned away.
“I have received reports that people are coming to the centre and if you’re, say 60 or you’re 80, I’ve had a few reports where they’re being turned back. The thing is if you are 40 years and above, or whether you’re 60, 70, 80, 90, whatever, it is once you’re above 40 then its ok for you to come and get your vaccine,” Anthony emphasised.
When asked about the further expansion of the programme to include other essential workers including the joint service, teachers and media workers, he responded that the ministry is currently prioritising a few groups and following the Easter holiday, some of these groups of people may be added to the list for vaccination.
