The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect all aspects of our country, inclusive of health, economic and the education sector. Most clinical research and expert opinions indicate that vaccination is the only way for us to leave this pandemic and return to some level of normalcy.
The data collected and reviewed thus far by the Ministry of Education indicates that there is a high degree of learning loss taking place among learners who are out of school. Added to this, given we are to lose another school year, we may not be in a position to reverse the damage that will be done. However, we now can safely get your child back into the classroom as quickly as possible, once parental consent is given for him/her to be vaccinated.
The Government of Guyana has secured a quantity of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which is the only approved vaccine for use in the age group of 12 to 18 years. This vaccine requires two (2) doses; 21 days apart for the individual to be fully vaccinated. Studies to date have shown that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has a 100% efficacy rate and robust antibody responses among adolescence (Pfizer-BioNTech Announce Positive Topline Results of Pivotal COVID-19 Vaccine Study in Adolescents | pfpfizeruscom). More importantly, this vaccine will prevent your child from becoming very ill or becoming hospitalized if they do become infected with this virus. However, some minor side effects may develop which include headache, fever, tiredness, joint pains and tenderness to the vaccination site, all of which are the normal reactions of the body while it is improving the immune system.
Click the link below for further information:
Letter to Parents and Consent Form on COVID-19 vaccination for adolescents.
