The goal of herd immunity appears a bit more elusive with the advent of the new Omicron variant. Yet, the forgery of vaccination cards (blue books) represents an added layer of challenges to the fight against the novel coronavirus.

In this episode of POD-19, Advisor to the Ministry of Health Dr. Ramsammy provides some insight on how Guyana dealt with the deadly Delta variant and how that preparation can help the country navigate an impending Omicron surge. He also talks up vaccination but laments the challenges posed by these forged vaccination cards.

A new variant of concern of the novel coronavirus- the Omicron variant- has emerged just weeks after many countries, including Guyana, have been able to overcome the deadly Delta variant. Some countries have blocked international travel, hoping to slow the spread of the variant but there is still much that is unknown.

In this episode of POD-19, we discuss what is known about the variant, what scientists are still trying to find out and even, how variants come about in the first place.

As Guyana and other Caribbean countries move closer to herd immunity, five to 11 year old children are now set to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines as well. This comes as more than one million children within this age group in the United States of America (USA) have already received this vaccine, and as countries are loosening COVID-19 restrictions.

In this episode of POD-19, we discuss the rollout of the vaccines for these younger children and briefly, also, the evolving travel situation and the complications of vaccine travel restrictions.

The Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony has come out clearly to say that the government has no policy of revaccination at this time, even as the United States (US) will roll out its vaccination requirements from November, limiting the travel of thousands of Guyanese vaccinated with the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine.

In this episode of POD-19, we discuss the evolving travel situation, the pending approval of the Sputnik V vaccine and even how the health authorities believe they can limit vaccine forgery and fraud.

Guyana has already received more than one million doses of the COVID-19 vaccines. These include those jabs that are given in single and double doses and according to the local health authorities, there are enough vaccines to immunise the entire adult population- about 410,469 adults. But, with an additional $2.1 billion earmarked for the procurement and administration of more vaccines, does that mean that booster shots will be rolled out soon?

Find out in this week's podcast.

As part of measures to keep the population safe, countries have begun rolling out vaccination requirements for international travel. Emerging out of those requirements, however, are concerns that some people, vaccinated with some vaccines, may be prevented from travelling. In Guyana, there have been concerns that the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, touted as the backbone of Guyana’s COVID-19 immunisation plan, might prevent people from freely travelling. Some look towards revaccination as a possible solution but health professionals do not agree with this.

Schools have been reopened with the intention of curbing learning losses, including school dropouts and absenteeism. The reopening of schools has, however, taken place while Guyana is experiencing a surge in new COVID-19 infections, hospitalisations and unfortunately, deaths - presumably caused by the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus.

Some schools will be returning to full face-to-face classes on September 6 when the new academic year commences while others will be operating with a shift system. Ahead of the reopening of schools, the vaccination rollout of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 12 to 18 years old steams ahead. This and more in this week’s episode of POD-19

Soon, children are expected to return to their classrooms as the local education authorities continue working towards the reopening of schools.

An integral part of this reopening plan is vaccinating students with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to give them a greater level of protection against the novel coronavirus. And, Guyana has begun preparations for the rollout of this vaccination ahead of its expected arrival in September. In this podcast, the efforts already made are discussed and we hear from the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony.

As August rolled in, a menu of updated COVID-19 emergency measures were published in the official gazette.

These measures were unprecedented, placing a strong focus on vaccination and mandating that government services could not be accessed without appointment for those individuals still unvaccinated. There have been restrictions on the provision of other services, too.

There has also been a significant increase in the vaccination uptake, with nearly 5,000 people getting their jabs in a day.