Pregnant, lactating mothers can choose any available COVID-19 vaccine-Minister Anthony

Pregnant women are urged to get vaccinated against the Covid- 19 virus as the possibility exists that they may give birth to premature babies, and to widen the choice of vaccines they can take, they can choose any of the available vaccines Guyana is offering.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, MP, made this disclosure on Thursday, during his daily COVID-19 update, at the Ministry of Health.

“All the vaccines that we have available can be given to pregnant and lactating women. Earlier we’ve had a number of persons who were asking to get the Pfizer vaccine and that is why initially when we opened up the vaccination of Pfizer, when we moved from just children from 12 to 17, the next group of people that we offered it to was pregnant women.

But if they have a choice or preference of getting another vaccine they can ask when they go to the vaccination site,” the minister said.

Earlier this week, the health minister said the ministry of health has been collaborating  with private health facilities to ensure pregnant women are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The minister said it is necessary for pregnant women to get inoculated as unvaccinated persons are experiencing the severe form of the disease and are prone to giving birth to premature babies.

As of today, the country recorded 2, 444 active cases, with 1, 085 of those cases being persons from Region Three. The minister said 49 persons are currently hospitalised with 17 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Liliendaal.

Dr. Anthony continues to urge persons to become vaccinated to protect themselves and reduce severe symptoms of the disease, since most persons dying from COVID-19 are unvaccinated.