Guyana today received 52,800 doses of the covid-19 Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5-11 from the government of Spain and the administration will begin on Saturday, June 11, at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac.
The vaccination of children within this age group was initially planned to begin November of last year, but the government had faced a setback with procuring the vaccine for this age group.
These vaccines were received by Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony and Education Minister Priya Manickchand.
Dr.Anthony while addressing teachers, parents and students stressed the need to have the students vaccinated against covid 19.
He related that one of the main benefits that comes with getting vaccinated is that “you will get a milder form of the disease. More than likely you will not end up in the hospital and even if you go in the hospital your chances of surviving are going to be better, and it has been shown by a number of studies that persons who have received the vaccine, they don’t get the symptoms of long covid as much as those who did not receive the vaccine.”
Meanwhile, Education Minister Priya Manickchand also urged the parents to have their child vaccinated as it adds an extra layer of protection against the deadly virus especially since schools have fully reopened.
These vaccine doses will contain about one-thirds of the amount given to adults and staff attached to the Ministry of Health were trained specifically in the administration.
After the first phased roll-out at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac on Saturday, the vaccines will then be taken to various schools.
Parents will also be required to give their permission before their child can receive the Pfizer vaccine.
