AS Guyana’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign continues, the uptake of booster or third doses in Regions One, Seven, Eight and 10 is lagging, according to Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony.
During Monday’s edition of the COVID-19 update, he stated that the ministry is currently working to increase the uptake of booster doses. He added that some 48,669 booster doses have been distributed countrywide thus far.

Giving a breakdown by region, Dr. Anthony stated that 977 doses were administered in Region One (Barima-Waini); 2,342 in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 6,842 in Region Three (West Demerara-Essequibo Islands); 23,344 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); 3,018 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 8,028 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); 481 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); 399 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); 1,755 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); and 483 doses in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

“So, from the doses that have been administered, you can see that in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Ten, they are below a thousand doses that have been given. I think there’s a lot of room for improvement in these regions,” the Health Minister said.

In the circumstances, he stated that these regions can certainly get past one thousand booster doses, but more must be done to encourage persons to come forward and receive them. He noted that the low uptake can be attributed to vaccine hesitance in some communities, among other things.

The minister went on to emphasise that although persons might have received their primary doses (first and second dose) of a vaccine, it is important for them to get their booster dose, since the Omicron variant is currently circulating.

Dr. Anthony added that taking the booster shot is critical, as immunity begins to wane at about five months after receiving a first and second dose. He further indicated that older persons should come forward to receive their booster doses, as health authorities are now seeing more older persons, especially those with comorbidities, coming to the hospitals.