President Ali urges public to vaccinate themselves as new COVID variant arrives

Georgetown, Guyana: President Dr Irfaan Ali once again encouraged the general public to get themselves vaccinated against the contagious COVID-19, as the new variant ‘Omicron’ arrives. 

While addressing the nation, President Ali highlighted the significance of being immunised, calling it the sole way to be secured against the deadliest mutant and defeating it. 

“Our only means to be ahead of all these variants, all the changes, the mutations that – we are seeing is – vaccination. If it is that – this variant is far more infectious, – the only thing that will save us is – vaccination. The only thing that will slow – hospitalisation is – vaccination. The only thing that will – slow the death rate successfully is vaccination,” he outlined. 

Following the statement, the Head of the State ensured the residents that the government is having enough stock of the COVID-19 vaccine doses for those who want to take their jabs. 

The island yet has not restricted travel guidelines for the passengers arriving from the South African nations, as the other Caribbean states have induced.  

COVID-19 Vaccination in Guyana: 

The vaccination data released by the Ministry of Health highlights that so far, there are a total of 400,561 individuals who have received their first jab of the COVID vaccine, which counts for 50.9 percent of the islands’ total population. 

On the other hand, there are a total of 278,058 citizens who have received their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and are now fully vaccinated against the contagious mutant, which counts for 35.4 percent of the nations’ total population. 

As per the national vaccination coverage, Region 10 is lagging with having the lowest vaccination rate. More than 29,000 children, between the age group of 12 to 17, are partially vaccinated, and 20,385 are fully vaccinated.

Apart from this, to curb the spread of the virus, the President asked the public to strictly follow the COVID norms and protocols that have been established by the government.