Scores turn out for second vaccination drive-through

Despite the inclement weather, scores of persons turned out for the Ministry of Health’s second COVID-19 vaccination drive-through at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Minister Hon Dr. Frank Anthony said he was pleased with today’s turnout, adding that the Ministry hopes to vaccinate at least 1500 persons.

“I understand from this morning, since we opened to know, people have been coming out. So, I’m very pleased that people are coming, despite the rain.

We are hoping that today we will be able to vaccinate maybe about 1500 persons. So, we’re working on that and I’m happy that people are cooperating and coming to get their vaccines.”

The vaccination drive-through was conceptualised following a series of consultations on making the vaccine more accessible to the public.  Dr. Anthony disclosed that discussions will be held to host similar exercises in the future.

“We will look at it because it takes a lot of manpower and a lot of resources to execute these exercises, but we are going to look at that and we will announce such exercises,” he said.

The Ministry’s first vaccination drive-through event held last Saturday saw over 1000 persons being inoculated. Some 931 persons received their first dose of the Covid vaccine, while 140 persons received their second dose.  Today’s event was held from 9am to 5pm.

To date, more than 190,000 persons have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with more than 58,000 persons being fully immunised.

Dr. Anthony said the Ministry continues to carry out its education campaign on the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine. He said the team is working continuously to ensure persons are vaccinated.

“I think more and more people are becoming aware and would like to get their vaccine.

So, the team at the Ministry, our job is to really make it more accessible, and trying to get as much people vaccinated as possible and as you can see the staff here despite the rain, they’re here and they are all working really hard to ensure that people get their vaccines.”

Persons 18 years and older are encouraged to visit any one of the Ministry’s COVID-19 vaccination sites to receive their vaccines.