COVID-19 vaccination campaign rolls out for adolescents in Region 10

…over 800 Region 2 students vaccinated

The COVID-19 adolescents’ vaccination campaign commenced in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Monday. The initiative saw 12- to 17-year-olds visiting the vaccination site which was set up at the Mackenzie High School to receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Fourteen-year-old Talya Gray was the first adolescent to receive the vaccine in the region. According to Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr Gregory Harris, over 4000 adolescents within the region are eligible to receive the vaccine, and he noted that despite a “shutdown” organised by some Opposition members, the Health Department will continue to push its vaccination mandate.
“…we’ll continue to play our part, and that is to promote this COVID-19 vaccine and its importance,” Dr Harris said while speaking on the side lines of the vaccination initiative. He added that, “I’m trusting that most of the parents would consider bringing their children out to be vaccinated, so that we can reduce the spread of this virus and as a community, as a region.”
The RHO also emphasised to parents and adolescents that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and may prevent or minimise complications of the virus.

“We’re trying to achieve herd immunity and once we’re able to achieve herd immunity, in terms of transmission of this virus it would be reduced drastically…the Pfizer vaccine that we’re giving out this morning is very safe and effective against the coronavirus…one of the ways in which we can prevent or control this continuous mutation is to try our best to vaccinate our population as fast as possible. The earlier stage we do it is the better for us,” the RHO told parents and adolescents as he noted that the side effects are the same as normal vaccines.
Public Health Nurse Erica Prosper, who is attached to the Health Ministry, thanked parents for bringing out their children to be vaccinated. She advised that the vaccination team has set up an information checklist, along with consent forms. Following these stages, adolescents are registered and then vaccinated.
Jacquey Bourne, who is the mother of Talya Gray, the first to be vaccinated in the region on Monday, said she was happy about the decision as she urged parents to have their eligible children vaccinated.
“I’m happy that my child can get her vaccine today and I’m encouraging all parents to permit their children to come out and have the vaccine. As long as your child is over 12 years, come out. The vaccines are safe and they’re effective. So, let us have a safe community, a safe country again so schools can reopen,” Bourne said.

Region 2 parents

Meanwhile, over in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), hundreds of adolescents on Monday, seized the opportunity to get vaccinated during the Pfizer vaccination rollout held at the Anna Regina Multilateral School (ARMS). They were among those who attended school after one year of re-opening.
According to a parent, Natasha Jaigobin, the vaccine is necessary since children come into contact with many other children at school from travelling, and may be exposed.
“So with all of this in mind, I signed the paper to let my son take the vaccine… I don’t want to put him, his friends, and also his family at risk. I am happy that he took the first shot and I know he will be safe and free from contracting the virus very easily,” Jaigobin said.
Another parent, Susaan Persaud, told Guyana Times that she opted to allow her child to take the vaccine after realising that it will be safe for her to do so. She said she has been watching the news and with what is happening around the world, she was not hesitant for herself and her child to be vaccinated.
Persaud said that initially she was scared to let her daughter take the vaccine but related that the vaccination process was very smooth since she was the fifth person in line. Persaud called on all parents to take their children out to be immunised and above all to ensure they protect themselves by taking the vaccine.

800 students
Meanwhile, Regional Health Officer, Dr Ranjeev Singh told this publication that over 800 students in the region have taken the first shot of the Pfizer vaccine.
“The programme has intensified in the region and targets persons 12 years and older and also persons living with chronic illness. So, with us immunising these persons, it is going to be a major achievement within the region and as such will be COVID free,” Dr Singh said.
As such, he is urging students to take the vaccines to protect themselves from the severe effects of the virus if they are to contract same.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has advised that persons should adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines and as such those who would have taken the vaccine must continue to wear their masks, practice social distancing, sanitise, and also avoid huge crowds. (Utamu Bell and Raywattie Deonarine)