Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony says that laminated COVID-19 vaccination cards can be accepted once all the relevant information is displayed clearly.
During his daily COVID-19 update on Thursday, the Health Minister alluded to the challenge people face as it relates to presenting their vaccination books at many business entities to access a number of services.
The paper vaccination ‘blue books’ offered here can be easily damaged and people have been finding ways to keep it safe, however, a number of businesses have not been accepting the laminated format since it was not officially sanctioned by the government.
“So we have been flexing a little bit but you must also present it so that you can see the particulars of the person on one side and what is inside the card and some people have been able to do that quite nicely; so you can see whether the person got a first dose…second dose and so forth; if you are able to do that in that way it helps,” Dr Anthony explained.
The vaccination card must show the person’s name, address, date of birth, the manufacturer of the vaccine and serial number, the date the doses (first and second) were administered, where the vaccine was administered and who administered the vaccine.
Meanwhile, Dr Anthony revealed that as of Wednesday, September 23, 2021, 351, 981 adults received their first vaccine dose – that is 68.1 per cent of the adult population while 181, 862 people received their second dose – this is 35.5 per cent of the population.
In terms of the vaccine rollout for ages 12 to 18, 21, 595 children or 29.6 per cent received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.
The AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Johnson and Johnson and Sputnik V vaccines are available for the adult population.
In relation to those hospitalised with COVID-19, there are 157 people in hospitals across Guyana, but the majority of these patients are at the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Georgetown. Minister Anthony said 97 persons are at the hospital; 37 are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and six pregnant women are hospitalised there as well.
Additionally, 13 pregnant women are also hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Dr Anthony sought to explain that the COVID-19 ward for pregnant women at GPHC is at full capacity and so, some patients had to be transferred to the Liliendaal facility. He said when the women are ready to deliver their babies they will be sent back to GPHC.
For persons who are in home isolation, Dr Anthony noted that there is a challenge with some people who do not stay at home.
“They can pose a severe risk to the general public because if they are not abiding by the rules then they can easily infect many more persons.
“So I really want to appeal to persons if you have tested positive and you are in home isolation please stay home for the duration of the period.”