100k doses of Sinopharm vaccines due this week – Anthony

The announced shipment of 100,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines ordered by government is due to arrive in Guyana this week, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony said yesterday.

Anthony announced earlier this month that the government had ordered the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine at a cost of approximately US$15 per dose.

“Well, we are hoping that we get the 100,000 doses that we have purchased from Sinopharm. Those vaccines are due sometime this week,” Anthony said during his COVID-19 update yesterday, while noting that authorities are working with the supplier to ensure they get the shots in.

When asked about the Johnson and Johnson vaccines that Guyana is expected to receive through an arrangement with the African Union, he mentioned that government is awaiting the estimated time of arrival from the African Union platform. He said discussions to date have not yielded a final date for arrival.

Additionally, Anthony noted that the government is also working with the COVAX facility on the next shipment of

AstraZeneca vaccines.

Anthony made no mention of the second dose Sputnik V shots that the country has been without for over a month.

Meanwhile, Anthony stated that so far a total of 231,766 persons have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, accounting for approximately 47.6% of the country’s adult population. For second doses, 106,344 persons, or 21.8% of persons 18 years and older, are now fully immunised.

Sexual assault accused gets bail

A man was yesterday placed on $75,000 bail after he was charged with sexual assault.

Kevin Victorine appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus in a Georgetown court, where the charge was read against him.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and the matter was adjourned until July 21.