Timeframe for second dose Sputnik V not expired – Minister Anthony

Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony says people who have received the first dose of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine are still within the stipulated four to twelve weeks timeframe for the second dose.

The Minister made this statement during Tuesday’s COVID-19 update.

“So, first of all, no person that we have administered Sputnik V as first dose, would have gone pass 12 weeks, so, they are still within the time period when they can get that second dose. We are working to bring in that second dose within the timeframe stipulated and that is between the four to the 12 weeks…

We are committed as a Government of Guyana to give both doses, and we are working with the suppliers to make sure that we can get those second doses in… As soon as we get them, we will distribute them across the Region so that people who are waiting for their second doses can get their second doses.”

Minister Anthony also noted that the first dose of the Sputnik V vaccine has a very high efficacy rate and therefore, persons are still protected against a severe form of Covid.

“After your first dose, your efficacy is generally about 79 per cent. After a single dose, and when you get that booster shot in between the four weeks to twelve weeks, it goes up to 97 per cent. So even without the booster shot, if you get a single dose of Sputnik, you will still be protected.”

Minister Anthony noted that a study was recently published by the Government of Argentina which examined the efficacy of single dose vaccines. He said the results indicate that with one dose was 79 per cent efficacious in protecting people against infection, and was 88 per cent in preventing hospitalisation.

“So, the point here is that we do have the first dose of the sputnik vaccine that is available…. I am encouraging people to go and get the first dose.”

Minister Anthony said along with first dose Sputnik V, the first dose AstraZeneca vaccine is also available. The first dose of the Sinopharm will become available soon. 

“So, if you haven’t taken any vaccine and you would like to get the AstraZeneca vaccine, you should come to one of our sites, and you will be able to get that. We are also recommencing the giving out of Sinopharm vaccines. And, again, we have both doses that are available.”

Meanwhile, responding to a question about mixing the various COVID-19 vaccines currently in use in Guyana, Minister Anthony said that protocol has not changed locally. He said the manufacturers have advised against mixing vaccines and would prefer their vaccines administered separately because if there are adverse effects, one would know which vaccine caused them.  Minister Anthony maintained that Government will continue to follow that guidance.