More than half of Reg. 6 population vaccinated; Reg. 8, 10 still lagging behind

As Guyana continues with its nationwide rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines, Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne) has been able to vaccinate more than 50 per cent of its adult population but Region Eight (Potaro- Siparuni) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) have been lagging behind.

This was related by Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, on Thursday during his daily COVID-19 update.

In total, the local health authorities have been able to vaccinate about 205,944 people, or 42.3 per cent of the targeted adult population, with the first dose of one of the three vaccines used locally.

Meanwhile, 72,045 people have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccines. An individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose.

The Health Minister also provided a breakdown of the vaccination rollout in the regions. This is as follows:

1. Region One (Barima-Waini ): 46.6 per cent
2. Region Two (Pomeroon- Superman): 40.3 per cent
3. Region Three (Essequibo Islands- West Demerara): 42.6 per cent
4. Region Four (Demerara- Mahaica): 43. 2 per cent
5. Region Five (Mahaica- Berbice): 46.5 per cent
6. Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne): 50.2 per cent
7. Region Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni): 42.3 per cent
8. Region Eight (Potaro- Siparuni): 27.5 per cent
9. Region Nine (Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo): 40.5 per cent
10. Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice): 12.4 per cent

“The two regions that are outliers are Regions 10 and eight,” the Health Minister acknowledged.

According to him, the mountainous geography and now, flooding has constrained vaccination efforts in Region Eight. In Region 10, however, he reminded that vaccine hesitancy has been a “persistent problem.”

On Wednesday, Regional Chairman of Region 10, Deron Adams told the News Room that there has been some degree of vaccine hesitancy, owed to misconceptions and false information residents had. He, however, affirmed that the local authorities have been trying to counter this.

Recently, the Health Minister, other ministers of government and regional authorities conducted an outreach in Region 10 in a bid to encourage residents to take their vaccines.