By Readawne Henery
Young adults have begun streaming into vaccination centres to get their COVID-19 shots after the government announced on Thursday that persons 18 years and over were eligible from yesterday.
Those who spoke with Stabroek News yesterday said they felt that the vaccine would protect them and reduce the risk of transmission of the virus to family members.
The lowering of the eligibility age to 18 means that hundreds of thousands of persons are now eligible to be inoculated.
When Stabroek News visited the Ministry of Health’s vaccination site at Brickdam yesterday there were 100 persons of all age groups waiting to be vaccinated.
A 23-year-old young adult who asked not to be named stated that being vaccinated was of importance to her. The young adult, who explained that she interacted with members of the public daily, welcomed the speediness with which the vaccine was being administered to persons in her age category.
She is encouraging others to come out and be vaccinated.
Munishwar Pitam, 25, told this newspaper that he wanted to be vaccinated in the hope of remaining safe. The man, who noted that the virus is continuing to spread, said that he was happy to hear of the new age eligibility since he wanted to be vaccinated for some time now.
He shared that he felt fine after taking the Sputnik-V COVID-19 vaccine with no complaints other than the pain from the injection site. He is to return on May 14 for his second dose.
Another young adult who also asked to remain anonymous said she was concerned over the increase of young people who are attending parties, spending time with peers and not protecting themselves.
The woman who believes that the vaccination exercise is a good initiative warned the younger people that their actions can exposure older family members to the virus.
She added that persons should take the opportunity to be vaccinated where they can protect themselves, peers and older family members.
Meanwhile, a vaccination site was set up at what is known as the Lusignan Junction on the East Coast of Demerara to accommodate persons interested in being vaccinated.
Gaitree Sookraj Hera, 36, told this newspaper that she first visited the Lusignan Health Centre where vaccinations were to be administered but was informed that they will begin the exercise on Monday.
The woman related that she took the opportunity to be vaccinated because she believes that being vaccinated is a way to protect herself, her children and the elderly with whom she comes into contact with. She added that it felt good to be vaccinated and protected from the severity of the virus.
Kishwar, 45, (only name given), also present at the vaccination site, told this newspaper that he felt good about the whole process, especially since the entire world is suffering from the pandemic.
He noted that “it is better to remain safe than sorry.”
At least 30 persons were seen at the Lusignan vaccination location when Stabroek News arrived yesterday morning.
Additionally, a source informed this newspaper that a large turnout was seen at the Georgetown Public Hospital vaccination site yesterday morning but the numbers declined in the afternoon.
