Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips called the vaccination process smooth and confirmed that there was no issue or problem since he took a COVID-19 injection Wednesday morning.
The PM, who is also the head of the COVID-19 Task Force, and his wife, Mignon Bowen-Phillips, were administered the vaccine at their official residence by health workers.
Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips and his wife, Mignon Bowen-Phillips display their vaccination cards
“The process was smooth, there was no issue or problem…What is important is to demonstrate to the people of Guyana that the vaccine is there, and we should come forward and take it, because it is what will protect you and save your life,” the Prime Minister is quoted as saying by the Department of Public Information (DPI).
The Government, through the Health Ministry, commenced vaccinating members of the public who are 60 years and above from Wednesday, and the PM appealed to those who reach the required age, to immunise themselves.
“When the medical personnel comes to your village or health centre, just come forward and take the vaccine, it will save your life,” he is quoted as saying.
The Prime Minister noted that although the vaccination process has commenced, it would take a while to see results. He added that it was important for persons to continue following the COVID-19 guidelines.
“Following the protocols remain important, because by following the protocols, it will reduce the spread of COVID-19. We are now at a stage where we have acquired vaccines and we are vaccinating our people; over time, we will acquire more vaccines. The intention is to vaccinate all Guyanese and we want to encourage all Guyanese to come forward and take the vaccine,” he said.
The Prime Minister will be taking the second dose of the vaccine in approximately 10 days.
The process was scheduled to start at the Mabaruma District Hospital, Port Kaituma Hospital, Region One (Barima-Waini); Charity Hospital, Suddie Regional Hospital, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Vreed-en-Hoop Health Centre, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); New Amsterdam Health Centre, Skeldon Regional Hospital, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Enmore Polyclinic, East Coast Demerara; Bartica Health Centre, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Mahdia District Hospital, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); Kwakwani Hospital, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice); Lethem Health Centre, and the Annai Health Centre, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
Meanwhile, some 58 senior citizens in Region Three were inoculated on Wednesday at the Vreed-en-Hoop COVID-19 vaccination site located in the compound of the West Demerara Regional Hospital.
Many of them arrived early for the opportunity to be immunised against the potentially-deadly coronavirus.
