Booster shots for J&J vaccines being considered- Dr. Anthony

Guyana, like many other countries, has been administering the US-made Johnson and Johnson (J&J) vaccines as a single dose, but Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony says that the government is considering whether a booster dose may be required.

Last week, Reuters reported that the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised booster doses of both the Moderna and J&J COVID-19 vaccine. The Moderna vaccines are given in two doses so the booster shot would be a third shot.

The J&J, on the other hand, is only a single dose vaccine and as such, the booster shot would be a second dose.

Dr. Anthony said the government is aware of the recommendations made for booster shots to be given to those people vaccinated with the J&J.

“Right now we are examining the possibility of that but as of now, the J&J would remain a single dose,” he said during his daily COVID-19 update on Monday.

Region Four vaccination tops 80%

Meanwhile, the Health Minister also pointed out that more than 82 per cent of the adults in Region Four, which is Guyana’s most populated region, have received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccines.

The other regions are, however, lagging behind. Of particular importance is Region 10, which has been trailing in the vaccination rollout for months now.

Guyana will achieve herd immunity, which ultimately means a widespread protection from the disease COVID-19, when at least 80 per cent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated.

Dr. Anthony called on all unvaccinated people to come forward and get vaccinated so that they would be protected from experiencing the more severe and life-threatening symptoms of the disease COVID-19.

He also encouraged persons who have received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccines and have not received their second doses to get those vaccines.