Guyana, Brazil in simultaneous launch of vaccine campaign

A scene from the launch of the campaign (Ministry of Health photo)
A scene from the launch of the campaign (Ministry of Health photo)

The Ministries of Health, Guyana and Brazil on Saturday launched the “D” Day of the Joint Multi-Vaccination Campaign in Bonfim, in the state of Roraima, Brazil.

This campaign is aimed at strengthening vaccination policies in national and international border regions, a Ministry of Health release said yesterday.

The “D” Day campaign which began on November 02 and concludes on November 12 targets people of all ages residing in the town of Lethem and Bonfim.

All vaccines that fall under the national immunisation calendar will be offered during the campaign period, with the Human Papilloma Vaccine (HPV) now being extended to adult men and women.

During her remarks, Dr Oneka Scott, Maternal Child Health Officer at the Ministry of Health said the Guyana and Brazil collaboration on vaccination dates back to 2002.

“This year’s Vaccination Week in the Americas was yet another venture, where our two countries demonstrated continued solidarity for this common cause when we united to venerate the launch of a special week of activities with a focus on giving life”, she stated.

Chief Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health, Dr Narine Singh during his address boasted about Guyana’s continued success in its expanded immunisation programme while pledging the Ministry’s full support in assisting Brazil to increase their vaccination rates.

“The vaccination programme in Guyana is one of our flagship programmes, one that has been attaining over 90% in all antigens, especially in the under-five age group”, he said.

He thanked the Brazilian health authorities for their continued collaboration with the Ministry of Health over the years, especially during COVID-19 for their assistance in supplying Guyana with personal protective equipment.