Guyana maintains almost 100% vaccine coverage – Health Minister

Mar 14, 2015 News

Despite constraints, the Ministry of Health continues to maintain near 100% vaccination coverage as part of its Childhood Vaccination Programme.
This is according to Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran who indicated that Guyana recorded 96 to 98 percent vaccination coverage in 2014. Ramsaran further said that Guyana’s success is an example for the Caribbean and the Americas.
“That’s an achievement,” Ramsaran added.
He also emphasised the importance of the programme noting that vaccination had numerous benefits. These benefits, he said, includes less hassle for parents while ensuring the future generation grows up strong and healthy. He said too, that vaccinations make an economic impact by reducing costs to treat illnesses.
Currently, Ramsaran said the programme offers 16 antigens including one for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). However, he said, despite its success the programme faces challenges.
Ramsaran said some of the vaccines are expensive while the programme faces cutbacks in concessions.
“Some of the concessions we had for expensive vaccines and other support have faded,” he said.
He went on to explain that new conditions locally and internationally will see prices for drugs multiplying drastically. He pointed out that the issue was “a bigger one” and said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was alerted to it. He also noted that the acquisition of drugs affordably was a challenge being faced by the entire Caribbean region.
“Guyana cannot shape the vaccine market alone; it has to be a regional issue,” Ramsaran said.
The Health Minister also congratulated Guyanese mothers for taking advantage of the programme and ensuring that their children’s health was paramount. He also noted that education amongst women had risen and women were learning more about the importance of vaccination.
“These women are taking advantage of the services available to them and protecting our future generation…keep it up; let’s keep up the 96% coverage and let’s keep up Guyana as one of the leading lights – if not the leading light – in this regard, not only in the Caribbean but Latin America,” Ramsaran urged.
For nearly a decade, Guyana has been one of the leading countries in vaccination figures.
In 2012, Ramsaran had indicated that Guyana consistently achieved over 90 percent coverage of vaccination of children for routine preventable childhood diseases for the preceding five years. He had also said the country received prestigious awards for its achievement.
Ramsaran had stated that Guyana had “practically eradicated” some potentially fatal childhood diseases due to the aggressive and country wide access to routine vaccines.
Also in 2012, the ministry introduced the HPV vaccine to Guyana to protect girls from cervical cancer as they mature later in life.
Ramsaran had stated that the vaccines were dispatched to various regions with a target of 6,000 girls. The vaccine is currently being implemented in 33 countries, in all continents around the world.

Latest News

Guyana maintains almost 100% vaccine coverage – Health Minister

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Slingerz FC shines at Guyana Energy Conference and Youth Forum

Guyana’s rising Chess stars take on Barbados

Elite clubs will challenge KFC monopoly on team...

Bristol named manager as Guyana gears up for 2025...

BCB puts a halt to cricket season due to...

Changes made to KMTC Phagwah Horse race meet

Features/Columnists

Crowds, chaos and complaints

CARICOM Nations Should Respond Together To new U.S. Policies

Guyanese leaders better learn from Ukraine

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Guyana maintains almost 100% vaccine coverage – Health Minister

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]