Reopening of schools: Health Minister makes plea for students to get vaccinated

Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony is appealing for students between the ages of 12 and 18 to get vaccinated once the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine arrives here in September. This, he explained, will allow for a safer environment for the reopening of schools for face-to-face learning in September.

The Health Ministry has advised the Education Ministry that there should be physical distancing, sanitization stations and students must wear a face mask when schools reopen.

While schools will definitely reopen for virtual learning on September 6, a date is yet to be announced for the physical reopening.

“We also have advised, since vaccines are going to be available, that children going back to school should be fully vaccinated,” Dr Anthony said on Monday during his daily COVID-19 update.

Children ages 12-18 will need parental consent before receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 jab. Dr Anthony said the response from parents who were sent consent forms has been going well.

“If we are going to reopen school in a very safe environment and protect children you will have to get vaccinated and I am very happy that a lot of parents understand that and they are eager to get their child immunised.”

“Parents are responding and I hope that this trend continues,” Dr Anthony said.

The government is also working with private schools to ensure they comply with the COVID-19 guidelines for the reopening of schools and to have children in these schools also vaccinated.

The Guyana PAHO/WHO representative Dr. Luis Codina earlier this month announced that Guyana is expected to receive 100,000 doses of the US-made Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines in September.

The Pfizer vaccine is the first US vaccine to be granted full approval by the FDA on Monday.