Scores of citizens not returning for 2nd dose of COVID Vaccine; Health Ministry concerned

During his daily update, Dr. Anthony said citizens need to understand that they must be immunized with both doses to be fully protected against COVID-19. All of the vaccines being offered in Guyana come in two doses.

Scores of citizens not returning for 2nd dose of COVID Vaccine; Health Ministry concerned

The Ministry of Health has noticed that many of the persons who got their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and are due for their second dose have not been returning for the jab.

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony today said he is very concerned about the situation.

During his daily update, Dr. Anthony said citizens need to understand that they must be immunized with both doses to be fully protected against COVID-19. All of the vaccines being offered in Guyana come in two doses.

Dr. Anthony noted that while the number of people receiving their first dose of the vaccine is high, the figure representing those returning for the second dose is extremely low and it is worrying.

“On average, we have 2.5% of the persons getting their second dose but again we see the variation in how people are coming back for their second dose and it is something we want to encourage because on the upper end we have 3.9% of persons in Region 2 who have returned for their second dose, while at region 1, it’s just 1.2%. So, again for those who have received their first dose, the process does not end with the first dose, you have to come back and get your second dose”, Minster Anthony insisted.

While the second dose of the AstraZeneca and the Sinopharm is identical to their first dose, the second dose of the Sputnik V vaccine is different from the first.

Minister Anthony is appealing to the public to return to the vaccination centres on the date given for the second dose and ensure they get fully vaccinated.

“For those who have received their first dose the process does not end with the first dose, you have to come back and get your second dose. So, that is something we appeal to people to get their second dose as well”.

Minister Anthony said it is appearing that encouraging people to get both doses is a new battle that his Ministry will have to take on.

More than 157,000 persons across Guyana have received a first dose of the vaccines.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the virus in Guyana continues to climb with four more deaths recorded in the past 24hrs.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login