As Guyana continues its COVID-19 vaccination programme, health authorities have reported that over 10,000 COVID-19 booster shots have been administered to date.
This was disclosed by Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony who stated that a total of 764,898 vaccine doses have been administered countrywide as of yesterday. Giving a further breakdown, he noted that this number accounts for 440,072 first doses, 314,356 second doses and 10,470 booster shots. These numbers include the vaccinated population from ages 12 and up.
Further, the records show that for persons 18 years and older, 409,901 first doses which account for 79.1% of that category were issued. So far 57.1% of the adult population – 292,885 adults – have been fully inoculated. As it relates to the adolescent population (12 years to 17 years) 30,171 first doses have been administered which the minister stated accounts for 41.4% of that age cohort, while some 21,471 persons within that category have been fully inoculated.
During his daily update, Dr Anthony pointed out that there are still a number of persons who are eligible to receive their second dose vaccines. They are considered partially vaccinated and as such would not have the benefits of being fully inoculated. As such he appealed for those persons to go out to get their second jab.
With the rapidly spreading new Omicron variant, the minister confirmed, scientists have advised that persons who have received their second dose six months ago should receive a booster dose as it has been established that immunity to the virus begins to wane after that period. “If you’ve had your second dose shot six months ago then your immunity would have waned and therefore you would have less protection against Omicron, so they’re advising that people get their booster shots.”
