THE Ministry of Health, on Monday, received 84,800 doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from the United Kingdom (UK) to aid its countrywide vaccination efforts.

Since those opting to take this vaccine require a first and a second dose, the 84,800 doses will be used to vaccinate 42,400 persons.

The vaccines were handed over by British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller, and Deputy High Commissioner, Ray Davidson and his wife Shivaun Davidson, to Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

High Commissioner Miller, in a recent comment, noted that the UK is proud to be supporting the expansion of Guyana’s COVID-19 vaccine programme. She also congratulated the Government of Guyana for its determined efforts on the roll out of this important vaccination and has encouraged everyone to get evidence-based information on the COVID-19 vaccine, to get vaccinated and to encourage friends and family to get vaccinated.

Government has rolled out an aggressive COVID-19 vaccination programme which gives everyone above the age of 18 an opportunity to receive a vaccine.

Currently, government is offering the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine, and the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.

Minister Anthony, in a recent interview, had stated that while vaccination rates have been increasing, there is still a significant way to go before the country could achieve herd immunity, which is essentially the immunisation of 80 to 85 per cent of the country’s adult population.

He related that it is with this in mind that the government has been taking steps to ensure its vaccination efforts are being bolstered with procurement of vaccines.

As of July 12, 2021, 250,712 adult Guyanese have received their first dose. About 138,624 persons have received both doses of the vaccine.