Health Minister concerned about slow COVID-19 vaccination in Region Ten

…says more needs to be done to encourage Guyanese to protect themselves

Over 20,470 persons have received COVID-19 vaccinations in Guyana but Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony is concerned about the slow pace of vaccination in Region Ten.

“I think the vaccination campaign has been going quite well. [In] most regions, we’ve seen a good uptake of the vaccine. I’m concerned about Region Ten. We haven’t had such a good uptake as yet but I’m hoping that as we work with more of the leaders in the community that is going to change,” the Health Minister said on Tuesday during an update to the media.

On average, some 2,000 persons receive the vaccine countrywide per day. Frontline workers, the elderly and those with comorbidities have been given first preference but soon, teachers and younger members of the public can expect access.

Thus far, Region Nine is the only region that has immunized all of its health care workers. Regions Two and Six are close behind within a 70 per cent range of completion.

“Others are a little bit lagging so we have to pick up in those other areas. I think as more people come out and get vaccinated that too is encouraging health care workers to take the vaccine,” Dr. Anthony said.

He noted that several leaders both on the side of the Government and the Opposition, who meet the primary preference criteria, have set an example by getting their vaccines. Still, he said, more needs to be done to encourage Guyanese to protect themselves.

Meanwhile, through its stakeholders in the Ministry of Health and Home Affairs, the Health Minister said that the Government is also monitoring the travel of individuals across mainland borders into Guyana to prevent further spread of the virus.