Region 5 to intensify COVID-19 vaccination campaign

The Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) Health Department will soon take the COVID-19 vaccination campaign to every village across the region with the aim of getting every citizen vaccinated.

Members of the Region Five COVID-19 Task Force took a decision to take a holistic approach during a recent meeting but this can only be done with the blessing of the National COVID-19 Task Force and the Health Ministry.
During a recent press conference, Head of Region Five COVID-19 Task Force Vickchand Ramphal, who is also the Regional Chairman, revealed that the region will be collaborating with stakeholders and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to make its plan a reality.
“At our meeting, we would have decided to have more stakeholders involved in this exercise. We are going to include the NDCs whenever there is a medical team going to a particular NDC, also the health officials what works within that NDC will be a part of that group that will reach out to each household and at the same time take with them take flyers that tell us about the importance of the vaccine and how we can stop the spread of COVID-19,” Ramphal told the media.
The region conducted over 2000 COVID-19 tests of which 317 were positive. To date, Region Five has recorded nine deaths.
Regional Health Officer Dr Desmond Nicholson related that since the vaccination campaign started in the region, only 6900 persons received the vaccines. The aim is to vaccinate another 25,000 persons.
Nicholson related that the region will be taking a holistic approach to embark on a COVID-19 vaccine sensitisation programme, thereafter he is hoping for a fruitful response which will lead to more persons being inoculated.
“I took my vaccine, the Chairman took his vaccine, and I want to urge you; take your vaccines and help us to stop this pandemic, help us to achieve herd immunity which we are seeking to achieve so that we can get out lives back to normal so that we can prevent the strain on the healthcare system, reduce the numbers and to successfully exit this pandemic.”
Meanwhile, the Director General to the Health Ministry, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo noted that although the Government has put mechanisms in place, citizens also need to play their part to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
He added that there are individuals who are misleading others by spreading false rumours about the vaccines. He further explained that those rumours are just fabricated.
“Vaccines and getting yourself vaccinated guarantees that you are not going to have serious consequences with the COVID. It will help you in some cases not to get infected and if you do get infected, you are not going to be hospitalised. All of the vaccines have the same effect of reducing the serious consequences of the COVID-19 disease.”
In an effort to ensure persons comply with the COVID-19 measures; Region Five Police Commander Raphael Rose said the Region Five Police Division will continue to collaborate with the Regional Administration to enforce the law as it relates to the COVID-19 guidelines.