Health Ministry mulls 4th COVID shot

…7 new cases, 4 persons in ICU

Relying on scientific data on vaccines and the evolution of COVID-19, health authorities are considering a fourth jab for the population, as well as the introduction of a booster shot for the adolescent category.
On March 29, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), having analysed data submitted by Pfizer and Moderna, authorised a fourth dose for the population. This shot is recommended for people who have underlying conditions and are immunocompromised; or any person 50 years old or older.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony shared during Thursday’s coronavirus briefing that the possibility of offering a fourth dose is being mulled. Additionally, Government is looking at introducing booster shots for the 12-to-17 age group.
After deliberations, it will be determined whether the Health Ministry would implement this plan.
“We would certainly take a look at that, because the scientific data shows that persons who take a fourth dose, it is very protective. Certainly, that is one of the things we will be looking at. Also, there’s a recommendation from the CDC and US-FDA that for persons 12 years, they can get a booster dose. That’s also something we will be looking at. Our population between 12 to 17, we have only been giving them the primary doses, that’s the first and second doses,” Dr Anthony relayed.
Booster doses have been offered by countries since the data shows that immunity from vaccines start to wane after six months of immunisation.
“Generally, if you had both doses, we expect that the immunity would last at least up to six months, after which you should go back and get a booster dose, so that you can continue to be protected.
That’s very important, because we have noticed with these particular vaccines that the antibody that is produced wanes after about six months.”
Current vaccination statistics indicate that 438,224 persons, or 85.4 per cent of the adult population, have taken a first dose, while second doses account for 336,871 persons, or 65.7 per cent of that demographic.
For the 12-to-17 group, 34,309 first doses and 25,008 second doses have been administered. This is equivalent to 47 per cent and 34.3 per cent respectively. This group has been lagging behind, as calls continue for parents to give consent for their children to take the shots.
Some 58,340 persons have taken a booster shot.

New cases
On Thursday, seven new cases were announced, with deaths remaining at 1226. Confirmed cases have reached 63,253.
A total of four patients are in institutional isolation, 66 are in home isolation, eight are in institutional isolation, and 15 are in institutional quarantine. There are four persons in the ICU.
Of the 29,127 males and 34,126 females who had contracted the virus, 61,949 have recovered.
Some 568,570 COVID-19 tests have been administered since the virus was detected here.
If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline: 231-1166, 226-7480, or 624-6674 immediately, or visit us at www.health.gov.gy.
Globally, over 485 million people have tested positive for the virus, and 6.1 million have died. In the Americas, more than 150 million confirmed cases have been reported, with over 2.69 million deaths. (G12)