Guyana gets more Pfizer vaccines from COVAX

Guyana received another 42,120 doses of the US-made Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine on Monday at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). These vaccines were provided to the country through the COVAX facility.

The COVAX facility is a global mechanism that was created to ensure the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Countries donating to this facility include the United States of America, Britain, Canada and countries in the European Union.

Children between the aged of 12 and 18 are exclusively receiving the Pfizer vaccines since these vaccines have received emergency use authorisation from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

These Pfizer vaccines are also being offered to all adults who have not yet been vaccinated, and as booster shots for some people.

For those who received both doses of the Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines, a Pfizer vaccine can also be taken as the booster shot (which would be a third dose).

And earlier on Monday, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony announced that all individuals aged 18 years and older, who have received their first set of COVID-19 vaccines, are now eligible for booster shots of the vaccines.

Booster shots can be taken six months after an individual received the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. For those who received the Sputnik V vaccine, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is offered as the booster dose.