Booster shots for teens, aged 16-17, being considered – Dr Anthony

Booster shots, which are additional COVID-19 vaccine doses, could be given to teenagers aged 16-17 soon, according to the Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony

During his daily COVID-19 update on Monday, Dr. Anthony noted that the authorities in the United States (US) have been providing boosters for everyone aged 16 and older.

“That is something under active consideration here in Guyana,” the Health Minister said.

In Guyana, since the beginning of December, the Health Ministry announced that all adults (individuals aged 18 years and older) are eligible for booster shots. A total of 11,986 people have gotten their boosters since.

These booster shots are offered about six months after an individual takes their second COVID-19 dose. The shots are administered to boost an individual’s protection against COVID-19.

With the threat of the Omicron variant lingering, and the reopening of schools from Monday, Dr. Anthony emphasised that all individuals should get vaccinated and get their boosters.

Importantly, though, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided on Monday that boosters could also be administered to teenagers aged 12 to 15 years old, once enough time has passed since their last dose.

The Health Minister did not address the possible administration of booster shots to this younger age group.

However, he said that 30,410 teenagers had received their first Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines thus far; 21,740 received both their first and second doses.