Misinformation causing vaccine hesitancy in Reg 10 – Chairman

− 5% of region’s population took both doses

The lowest COVID-19 vaccination uptake in Guyana has been reported in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), with misinformation playing a leading role in augmenting the current vaccine hesitancy.
Appearing on a recent programme hosted by the Opposition APNU/AFC, Regional Chairman Deron Adams noted that the region is still lagging behind, with just over five per cent of people in the region taking both doses. He said this is painting a worrying picture for health officials, as they reinvent newer ways of sensitising the public.

Adams pointed out that in many cases, the hesitancy is driven by false data on social media as he called for persons to seek their clarity from credible entities, such as the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and World Health Organisation (WHO).
“We had about 12 or just above of persons who would have taken their first shot. I know the RHO and his team have been coming up with innovative measures and the RDC by extension to encourage persons to get vaccinated. We believe that the driving force for the public panic is as a result of the misinformation that is being peddled on Facebook and persons turning to all of the doctors that would have popped up overnight and not looking to credible agencies like PAHO/WHO for information. That misunderstanding has worsened the situation here in our region and the exaggerating of that very information.”
The Regional Chairman also called for persons to take the vaccines, since a large population of unvaccinated individuals can surge infections. Leaders were also asked to continue their endorsement efforts in reaching all targeted groups.
“We are genuinely concerned about the people of Region 10 and that is why we are putting these steps in place to have access to credible information so that you can be responsible in your action…We have seen prominent people in society stepped up to the plate. I would have taken my vaccine…I plead with you to let us only rely on those credible agencies, PAHO-WHO and leaders who would have stepped up. As leaders, we all took a decision to save lives. For me, it was a personal one. My dad died from COVID-19 and I don’t want other people here in Region 10 to suffer like many other families would have suffered,” said Adams.
Back in May, after recognising that the vaccination uptake in Linden was lagging behind, a ministerial team visited the township and successfully raised the daily threshold through sensitisation.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony had indicated that Linden had recorded lower statistics during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. At that time, only eight per cent of adults had received their first doses.
Clinical nurse manager, Patricia Cummings – who vaccinated US Vice President Kamala Harris – was also present during the event as she outlined, “In my years of nursing, the COVID pandemic has been single-handedly the most devastating public health issue that I have dealt with…A lot of the hesitancy, a lot of the confusion, we understand it because we dealt with it ourselves and that is why we’re speaking from a place of personal experience to say to you as health professionals, we’ve seen the detriment of the virus and it is proving to be more detrimental because of all of the variants that are coming about.”