WHILE efforts have intensified in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region to immunise the population against COVID-19, persons are still somewhat hesitant to take the vaccines, according to Regional Health Officer, Dr. Ranjeev Singh.
During an interview with the Sunday Chronicle, Dr Singh said he desires for more persons to come forward and take the vaccines so that the region can achieve 70% herd immunity.

Dr. Singh disclosed that only 8,800 persons in Region Two took the vaccines from a total of 30,500 who are eligible, representing only 28 per cent of the population who got inoculated.

“I believe that we can do far better as a region; we need to get 70 % to achieve herd immunity in this region and if that happens, then our lives can come to some degree of normalcy, but first persons need to take the vaccines,” Dr. Ranjeev said.
According to the Regional Health Officer, active cases in the region continue to climb with April 29 recording one more positive case, taking the total to 92.

As it relates to sensitization, the Regional Health Services has intensified its public relation campaigns to educate and sensitize persons using various mediums expressing the importance of taking the doses of the vaccines.

Apart from the fix sites every weekend, there are several vaccination drives along the Essequibo Coast. These sites are usually published on the region’s Health Services Facebook page in advance, while a sound truck would journey to various areas spreading the word.

Dr. Singh said that the Regional Health Services have partnered with various religious organisations and agencies to conduct the drive.
House-to-house vaccination

Additionally, Dr. Singh said that vaccines are being released by the Ministry of Health based on the demand and if persons are not taking the vaccines, then the region will be behind. He also hinted that there will be a house-to-house vaccination programme to encourage persons to take the vaccines, thereby protecting them from getting infected with the deadly COVID-19.

Dr. Singh emphasised the importance of persons getting vaccinated since they can use their immunisation card as a passport to travel. Only recently, President Irfaan Ali said the government is prepared to introduce a “vaccine passport” to prevent the spread of the disease, which has killed 58 persons here for the month of April alone.

Dr. Singh has, therefore, echoed calls for persons to reach out to the various vaccination sites available in the region to ensure that they take the ‘jab’. He said that once the region achieves herd immunity, then persons would be able to walk without a mask but will still expect to practice social distancing.

“We can do this. I am urging Essequibians to come out and take your vaccines; we have the Sputnik-V vaccines available and also the AstraZeneca one, both vaccines require two doses, and once you get them, it helps you from getting severely sick from the virus” Dr. Singh explained.

The vaccines stimulate the body’s natural defences, causing it to produce its protection in the form of antibodies. The Sputnik-V vaccine was documented as the first registered COVID-19 vaccine in the world on August 11, 2020.

It is being manufactured by the Russia Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) in collaboration with the Gamaleya Centre. The vaccines are usually injected into the person’s muscles and are given in two doses.

The Ministry of Health has advised those who were vaccinated to continue to take precautions.