Persons who refuse COVID-19 vaccine endangering lives of others – Ramsammy

Former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy said that Guyana could only get out of the pandemic if persons adhere to the guidelines outlined by the Health Ministry and by taking the vaccine.
Those who refuse to take the vaccines, the former Minister, who now functions as an advisor to the current Health Minister, said, are endangering the lives of others and he called them reckless.
Dr Ramsammy noted that it is a life-or-death decision that has to be made literally, adding that each time persons leave their homes, they should be wearing a face mask and also ensure that they are following the Public Health guidelines. The former Health Minister made these comments while addressing the Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) COVID-19 Taskforce, pointing out that those who want to make the wearing of face masks an option were making living an option.

According to the former Health Minister, the novel coronavirus existing in Guyana in April 2021 is not the same virus that Guyana was dealing with in March 2020.
“This is a virus that is now attacking young people and making them sick. This virus is not only making people sick, it is making them sick faster and deteriorating more rapidly,” he explained.
In noting that previously the virus was affecting older persons with comorbidities, Dr Ramsammy pointed out that healthy young persons were now being affected by the virus.
He noted that it does not necessarily require comorbidity to make persons sicker.
Therefore, the continued non-compliance with the public health measures is not only putting people’s lives at risk but putting other people’s lives at risk.
Some, he said, may argue what they do with their lives is their own business.
“And, therefore, the Government has taken a decision to strengthen compliance. That is why the Joint Services is now making sure that enforcement is more rigid,” the former Health Minister said.
In Region Six, Ramsammy pointed out that several Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) have been making arrangements to facilitate vaccinations. This, he said, is in addition to the other facilities set up across the region.
On Saturday, the Fyrish/Gibraltar NDC, Kilcoy/Chesney and the municipality of Rose Hall Town will be hosting a community vaccination programme.
Meanwhile, the Port Mourant/Johns NDC, No 52/74 NDC and the Corriverton municipality are all planning similar exercises.
In Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) similar programmes have been arranged by NDCs and today, a similar programme is expected to be held at Bush Lot.
Today, Dr Ramsammy added that staff members and students of the University of Guyana, who are 40 years of age and over, will be given their COVID-19 shots.
He said it was hoped that 250,000 Guyanese would receive the first dose of the vaccine by June 11, and more than 100,000 would be fully vaccinated.
In August of this year according to the former Health Minister, Government is hoping to have between 450,000 persons and 550,000 persons vaccinated. Those are the numbers needed to get close to herd immunity, Dr Ramsammy explained.