Guyana implements new strategy for Vaccination Week amid COVID-19
—Smaller clinics, physical distancing to be maintained
DPI, Guyana, Monday, April 27, 2020
The Ministry of Public Health will introduce a new strategy for the annual vaccination week being observed in Guyana from April 25 to May 2, 2020 under the theme “Love, Trust, Protect, GetVax.”
Today, Maternal and Child Health Officer, Dr. Oneka Scott noted that the plan is “to reduce the size of the clinics by scheduling appointments so that social and physical distancing guidelines are enforced.”
Maternal and Child Health officer, Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Oneka Scott
“We encourage parents to embrace this strategy as a part of their civil responsibility towards flattening the transmission curve of COVID-19,” Dr Scott added during the Ministry’s live update programme.
Guyana’s vaccination programme has been successful implemented for several years It has seen over 90 percent coverage, particularly for the under one-year population Dr. Scott explained that this data was gathered from all 10 administrative regions and the 13 immunisation districts.
Presently, the Expanded Programme for Immunisation vaccinates against 17 diseases. The programme has extended beyond childhood to include adolescents, adults and the elderly.
“Over the years, our health care workers have gone above and beyond to ensure that children are protected from vaccine preventable diseases. These efforts are to be highly commended and praised. So, I join the rest of Guyana in saying a heartfelt thank you to all health care workers across Guyana,” Dr Scott noted.