Guyana launches first-ever national influenza vaccination programme

Guyana on Friday launched its first national influenza vaccination programme at the Eccles Health Centre, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony described the initiative as “a historic day for our country”.
For the first time in the country’s history, citizens will have access to seasonal flu shots aimed at protecting the most vulnerable, including the elderly, pregnant women, children, and healthcare workers.

At the launching ceremony on Friday, Dr Anthony stated that this is just one of many projects that the Government is introducing to guarantee healthier lives for citizens.
“For the first time in Guyana’s history, we are launching a national influenza vaccination programme,” Dr Anthony said, calling it a major step in protecting vulnerable groups and strengthening the nation’s health system.
The Health Minister stressed that influenza is often underestimated. “Influenza, we commonly would refer to it as a flu… we think of it that way, but it’s not that harmless,” he said. Citing World Health Organisation statistics, he noted that the disease affects about one billion people globally each year, leading to three to five million severe cases and as many as 650,000 deaths.
Dr Anthony explained that the virus changes annually, making yearly vaccines essential.
“Every year, the virus that is circulating will change its genetic composition. And that is why it is important that every year you come and you get your influenza vaccine,” he said.
According to him, the programme will prioritise vulnerable populations, including the elderly, pregnant women, children, persons with chronic illnesses, and frontline healthcare workers.
“That’s why we are opening up the vaccination programme, to ensure that any health worker who wants to get the vaccine will be able to access the vaccine,” he stated.
The vaccine being introduced is a trivalent shot that targets H1N1, H3N2, and the Victoria B lineage. Dr Anthony reassured the public of its safety: “Some people believe that if you take the vaccine, the vaccine can give you flu. That’s not the case. This vaccine is tailored to protect you from flu.”
He also highlighted Guyana’s progress in disease surveillance, noting that the country is now part of WHO’s global FluNet and FluID systems. “We feel very proud that we can be part of this global system and contribute knowledge in this way,” he said.
Meanwhile, Registered Nurse/Midwife Tenisha Hope, who is also pregnant, was the first to receive the vaccine, marking the official rollout.
In a side interview, Dr Anthony revealed that Guyana has received an initial 15,000 doses.
“We feel that that would be to start up with, because we don’t want them to expire on us… this is the flu season now,” he explained. The doses were obtained through the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) at a preferential price of under US$3 per dose.
He urged the public, especially older persons, to take advantage of the programme. “We want older people to come in and get the flu shot… so we want to introduce that culture here so that we can protect people from getting influenza,” he said.
Dr Anthony concluded by encouraging citizens to take the vaccine not only for themselves but for the wider community. “Protect yourself, protect your community, protect our country,” he urged.
Meanwhile, Dr Garoma Denbeli, Health Systems and Services Advisor for PAHO/WHO, noted in brief remarks that influenza is a highly contagious yet preventable infectious disease.
He commended Guyana’s ongoing efforts to combat the virus and reaffirmed PAHO/WHO’s commitment to supporting the nationwide rollout of the programme.