Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony says that none of the COVID-19 vaccine recipients have reported any serious adverse events other than vaccination pains and slight fever.
During his COVID-19 update today, the Minister was asked if he is concerned about several countries suspending their vaccine rollout programmes over concerns of blood clotting.
He noted that indeed there was a case of clotting reported overseas by a patient who received the AstraZeneca vaccine – the same serum brand being distributed in Guyana. However, further investigation revealed that the clotting was not connected to the vaccine.
“The European regulatory authority has put out a statement, and that statement clearly said that there wasn’t a link between the AstraZeneca vaccine and this clotting problem that was discovered. Since there was no link, there’s no reason to be concerned about it,” he noted.
Asked if any report of adverse effect has been reported in Guyana following the rollout of the vaccination programme, Dr Anthony responded in the negative.
He added that while no adverse side effect has been recorded, the Pharmacovigilance committee continues to do monitoring.
“We have been monitoring to see whether there will be any adverse events. Globally, with the AstraZeneca vaccine and Sinopharm vaccine, we don’t expect adverse events. Because not much has been recorded in the global scientific literature. So, we don’t expect them, but we still monitor for them.
He noted that if the committee detects any complications, it is obligated to report it internationally, “so others can learn from our experience”.
“But since our immunization programme has started for COVID-19, we have not had any adverse events. But what we have had is reactogenic side effects; meaning that some persons would experience pain at the site of the vaccine,” he said while adding that these effects usually subside within 24 hours.
