Although there are no monkeypox patients in Guyana, an order for some 1,800 monkeypox vaccines through the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) is still expected, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has said.
“We have placed and order through the PAHO strategic fund so they have negotiated with the manufacturers and so we still expect at some point to get those vaccines,” Dr Anthony told the News Room recently.
“There was a minimum order; I think we had to put in for 1,800 or something like that. We put in for the minimum doses,” Dr Anthony said when asked for an update on the order.
Thus far two persons in Guyana were confirmed to be infected persons with monkeypox – a 57-year-old man and a woman in her 30’s. The individuals were discharged from the infectious disease hospital.
Nearly two months ago, the Ministry made efforts to procure the vaccines. This is part of efforts to stem the possibility of a monkeypox outbreak in Guyana. However, although it was reported that PAHO has lined up a supply of monkeypox vaccine for Latin America and the Caribbean, the vaccines are yet to become available here.
“PAHO has secured an agreement with Bavarian Nordic (BAVA.CO) to provide 100,000 doses of monkeypox vaccines to Latin America and the Caribbean through the revolving fund,” PAHO Director Dr. Carissa Etienne told a press briefing in September.
When the vaccines are secured for Guyana, not everyone will receive the vaccine. The Health Minister said only high risk persons will receive the vaccines.
Further, the Health Minister said possible cases and spread of the infection is still being monitored.
“So we have not seen any more cases.
“We continue to monitor, but as you know the cases have declined as well ultimately we expect that we will see less and less cases and hopefully we will get better control over monkeypox,” the Minister said.
