…not stored at correct temperature
One hundred thousand doses of H1N1 vaccines, the second and most recent shipment to Guyana, have been confirmed lost after failure to ensure that they were stored at the correct temperature.
The vaccines, now useless, were expected to facilitate the continuance of the immunization against the novel influenza virus.
The vaccines reportedly arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), on May 6, 2010, at 17:30hours, and were picked up by Ministry staffers at 16:30hours the next day.
In an invited comment, Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, said investigations into what happened are ongoing.
“There was a delay in getting the vaccines stored at a controlled temperature…we are not sure whether it was a breakdown in communication or a problem with transportation, but we are not apportioning blame yet,” he said.
The Minister said that the vaccines are now stored at the Material Management Unit, at Farm on the East Bank of Demerara.
He added that the disposal of the vaccines will be overseen by technical staff from the Ministry and the Director of Maternal and Child Health, Dr. Janice Woolford, under whose purview the distribution of the vaccines falls.
Ramsaran made clear that the disposal will be done in accordance with mandatory standards set for its disposal.
“We do not want the vaccines falling into the hands of the unscrupulous,” he said.

Next Steps

Minister Ramsaran noted that the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has indicated its willingness to facilitate another shipment.
“We do not want the people to be without the coverage the vaccine provides…PAHO has said they will replace the vaccines,” Ramsaran said.
When asked about the additional cost to Guyana, the Minister said he could not yet commit to a statement.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary within the Health Ministry, Mr. Hydar Ally, in an invited comment, said only that there are “some difficulties” with the latest shipment.
The last shipment totalled some 75,000 doses and arrived in Guyana in late March, costing $72M.
The vaccines were acquired, after several delays, with assistance from the Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO).
Since the arrival of the vaccines, high risks groups, including children under five-years-old, pregnant women, persons with asthma and health workers were targeted for distribution.
Acting Chief Nursing Officer, Ms. Tarmattie Barker, in a statement to the media, reported that persons have been accessing the vaccines at the Vaccination Centre at the Ministry of Health head office, Brickdam, as well as from health centers in various regions.