Sputnik-V second dose to arrive next week; Covid deaths at 380

A shipment of vaccines that arrived in Guyana earlier this year 

After the health Ministry announced a shortage in Russian manufactured Sputnik V vaccines against the COVID-19, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony said the next shipment is likely to arrive in Guyana next week.

“We’re hoping that by next week, we’ll be able to get those supplies in and we’ll start rolling out those second doses,” the Minister said during Friday’s daily COVID-19 update.

Unlike the AstraZeneca Vaccine, the first and second doses of the Sputnik V are different. Some persons have complained about being unable to access the second dose of their COVID-19 Vaccine on the specified date. However, the Minister assured that this is not an issue.

In the interview released by the Department of Public Information, the Minister said Russian authorities have this week stated that the four-week period between the two doses of the vaccine can be increased to 12.

As such, he said “anytime from four to 12 weeks, you can get that second dose. So while we’re delayed, everyone who would have received their first dose will get their second dose. It won’t happen perhaps on the fourth-week interval but certainly, you will get it a little bit after.”

The Ministry on Thursday said it is awaiting shipment information and will advise the public as soon as the MOH receives shipment details.

As it relates to the AstraZeneca vaccine, and SinoPharm, no first doses are available, but the Ministry has kept vaccines sufficient to administer the second doses to persons who took their first dose.

Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll on Friday jumped to 380 after four new deaths were recorded. This accounts for 12 deaths in three days among which is a 17-year-old male. However, no efforts are being made by the Government to curb social activities.

The curfew is currently from 10:30 pm to 4 am with services such as sports betting facilities and casinos allowed to be open from the month of May.

The total number of recorded COVID-19 cases in Guyana is at 16,724 with 14,376 recoveries. Friday’s dashboard reported that there are 24 persons in Intensive Care.