90% GDF ranks, staff take COVID-19 vaccine

…50% prisoners fully vaccinated – GPS
… as 30,000 persons due for AstraZeneca 2nd dose

Vaccination among the Joint Services has been progressing, with 90 per cent of ranks within the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) already taking at least one shot of the COVID vaccine.

Statistics provided on Thursday by the disciplined forced show that 43 per cent have already returned for their second dose. In addition, the Guyana Prison Service stated that almost 60 per cent of officers and staff have been completely immunised.
Based on the prison population, figures highlight that more than 50 per cent of inmates have received a COVID-19 vaccine.
The Prison Service has said that a weekly vaccination drive is organised at each penitentiary, in collaboration with the Health Ministry. Owing to limited spaces in the prison system which often lead to overcrowding, prisoners have tested positive for the virus in the past. But with vaccination now available, they have another layer of protection.

“Further, an initiative to increase confidence in COVID-19 vaccines and reinforce basic prevention measures among inmates are also high on the GPS agenda,” Public Relations Officer Rajiv Bisnauth added.
The Guyana Police Force’s PR Unit has not released any vaccination statistics despite it being requested by the media several weeks ago. When prompted, an official claimed that they were awaiting the information from the hierarchy of the Force.
Government has been lobbying for all Guyanese, especially those on the frontline, to be vaccinated in light of the new and deadlier Delta variant. Moreover, it would take the country closer to herd immunity, pegged at about 85 per cent.
Meanwhile, giving an update on the country’s vaccination figures, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Thursday related that 327,519 persons or 63 per cent of the population have been immunised. However, there is a lag in the second doses, where only 171,094 persons or 33.4 per cent have taken same.
“We’re doing well with the first dose at 63.8 per cent. Of course, we’ll want that to go up because we want to get closer to 80-85 per cent for us to achieve some form of herd immunity. Despite that, persons are coming. We are getting 2000-3000 persons a day coming out to get their first dose.”
He added, “But there is a corresponding lag. People take the first dose and they’re not coming back for the second dose. If you only got one dose of a two-dose regimen, then you’re not going to get full protection. I want people to understand that. Having one dose does not fully protect you. It will give you some level of protection, but you wouldn’t get full protection.”
He further disclosed that a whopping 30,000 persons are due for the AstraZeneca second shot – vaccines which are currently available in Guyana.
“They are within the four to 12 weeks period and they need to come and get their second dose. It’s about 30,000 people out there. I know in some of the regions, the staff have been going through the list, calling up people and asking them to come get their second dose, but that’s very tedious work.”
The Minister added that persons should be cognisant of when they’re required to return for the second dose and visit a vaccine site so that it can be facilitated.
For those who took Sinopharm vaccines, the second dose is readily available. Only the Sputnik V jabs are challenging to source in large batches, but the Ministry will notify the public when another consignment arrives in the country. On a weekly basis, some 5000 doses have been delivered to Guyana.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has already vaccinated 23 per cent of adolescents with a Pfizer first dose, which amounts to 16,769 persons. The targeted figure in this subset is 72,000 persons – both students and other youths.
In Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), the Minister said they have not been able to train a complete team to roll out the Pfizer shots, adding that more work needed to be done.
“In all the other regions, we have been able to train people so that the vaccination there continues,” Dr Anthony notified.