60,000 more Sputnik-V doses expected next week

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has announced that 60,000 more doses of the Sputnik-V COVID-19 vaccine are expected in Guyana next week.

During Friday’s COVID-19 update, Anthony confirmed the imminent arrival of the vaccines although he did not state the exact date.

He also said that the government is expecting 38,000 doses of the AstraZeneca from the COVAX facility soon. “If things go well, we are also expecting a shipment from COVAX but we are awaiting the final date for that,” he added.

At time of his update, Anthony said more than 154,000 persons had received their first dose of a vaccine and more than 7,000 have received their second doses.

More vaccines are needed to ensure that those who have received their first doses receive their follow-up jabs as Guyana has to date accumulated a total of 260,000 vaccines, enough to fully inoculate 130,000. 

Anthony has assured that there is no shortage of vaccines and that persons who have received their first dose of a vaccine will be able to receive their second dose when the time comes. He added that in order to achieve herd immunity at least 85% or the Guyanese population will have to be vaccinated and the Government will continue to work tirelessly to procure enough vaccines for the entire adult population.

He subsequently encouraged persons to get vaccinated.