Berbice tops COVID-19 vaccinations; Region 10 at just 13%

More than half of the adult population in Berbice (Region Six) have taken their COVID-19 vaccines, but the Ministry of Health continues to face an uphill battle in getting citizens in Region 10, which includes the mining town of Linden, to take the jab.

“We’ve been working very hard over the last couple of days to make sure more people come out for their vaccines,” Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, stated Wednesday during his COVID-19 update.

Dr Anthony said that just 13 per cent of adults in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) have taken the first dose of either the Sputnik V, Sinopharm of AstraZeneca vaccines. Most other regions are over the 50 per cent mark or just below.

Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) has seen 51.9 per cent of its population vaccinated; this is followed by Region One with 51 per cent.

Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) has recorded 41.4%, Region Three (Essequibo-Islands-West Demerara) 43.8%, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) 45.2%, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) 47.8%, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) 43.6%, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) 28.3% and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) 41.9%.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health continues to appeal to those who have taken their first dose of either of the vaccines to return for their second dose.

As of Tuesday, 214, 251 were recorded as having received their first dose. This represents 44% of the adult population. Of that number, 79, 802 came forward to receive their second dose.

“We want to continue to appeal to persons who have received their first dose and are now eligible for their second dose (to come forward),’ Dr Anthony stated.

Those who have taken the Sinopharm and Sputnik V vaccines can return for their second dose after one month, while those who have taken the AstraZeneca vaccine can return for their second dose within two to three months.

“…we still see there are people who have received their first dose vaccines, but we haven’t seen them coming back for their second dose.

“If they are not fully immunised, they are not going to have the full benefit of the vaccine,” Dr Anthony stated.

“It’s only when you are fully immunised, meaning that you would have had both doses of the vaccine, that you would be able to get the benefits of the vaccine.

“So we want to appeal to those persons to please come to get their second shot.”