With about 100 vaccination sites open across the country, Guyana continues to increase its immunisation rate as the country seeks to achieve herd immunity against the COVID-19 virus.
Within the last 24 hours, health officials have managed to administer jabs to some 6,000 citizens. So far, 187,234 have received their first dose. That approximates 38.5% of the adult population. Meanwhile, 58,380 persons have received their second dose. This translates to about 12% of the adult population being fully immunised.
Minister Anthony said that Region Six continues to do “extremely well” with 45% of its adult population already receiving the first dose. He noted that Region 10 continues to lag with about 11% of its population taking the jab.
“We’re increasing steadily nationally…every region is going better. Region 10, at one point, we were at 9-point-something percent, so that has increased marginally. We have a lot more work to be done in Region 10. And again, we’re appealing to everyone to come out and get their vaccines,” the official said.
But Region 10 is not the only district exhibiting reluctance. Regions Seven, Eight, and One have pockets of hesitancy, the Minister said. He added that steps are being implemented to stop the foot-dragging.
“We have identified particular communities where there is a high level of hesitancy and we’ve asked different community leaders to go in, religious leaders to talk to those persons in the particular areas hoping that we can provide them with accurate information which would then lead to them taking their vaccine,” he reported.
Over 360 persons have died since Guyana confirmed its first imported case back in March last year.
