Kwakwani residents administered COVID-19 vaccines

Residents of the Upper-Berbice community of Kwakwani, were administered their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday.

 Some 80 doses of AstraZeneca and Sinophram vaccines were sent to the community and those targeted included health care workers, police officers and the residents over 60-years-old. However, residents outside of the target group in hinterland regions who are desirous of taking the shot were not be rejected. Interested persons were asked to produce a form of identification. Persons travelled from other neighbouring communities such as Ituni to be administered the vaccine. It is expected to be rolled out in Aroaima on Friday.

One of the elderly residents who was first in line was 79-years-old Leon Jethoo. He told INFO 10 that the process was simple and was deemed safe. He encouraged others to take their first dose of the vaccine, in an effort to save lives and curb the spread of the virus.

Shevern Wilson, Public Health Nurse, in an interview with INFO 10 sought to implore the residents to be vaccinated, since the virus was once rampant in the community. She urged them to seek credible information and to dispel myths. ” I would like to encourage persons to be vaccinated which will aid in protecting their loved ones and their community. I would also like to plead with residents to read credible sources for accurate information of the vaccines; such as WHO and PAHO and not what they hear on the road or social media,” Wilson encouraged.

    Like any other drug, there are side effects of the vaccine such as fever, nausea/vomiting, headache, pain or tenderness to the injection site and tiredness.

After receiving the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccines, persons are required to take the second dose in 12 weeks from the date it was administered.

While the vaccination intends to protect the population from serious COVID-19 related illness or death, the Ministry of Health would like to urge the public to continue observing the necessary COVID-19 guidelines outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).