Guyanese currently being treated for HIV and AIDS are being urged to get vaccinated against coronavirus (COVID-19) since their compromised immune system puts them at great risk to suffer a severe infection.
At a recent COVID-19 Update, Minister of Health Frank Anthony dispelled myths that the vaccine is harmful or makes their anti-retroviral treatment ineffective.
“The mechanism of action is totally different. Vaccines help to stimulate the immune system so that your body can produce antibodies that can fight off COVID-19 virus. Anti-retrovirals work differently in they interrupt the life cycle of HIV and therefore their actions are totally different. There is no interaction between the two,” the minister said.
“It is recommended that persons with HIV take the COVID-19 vaccine because it will protect them. The benefits of getting vaccinated far out weight the risk of being unvaccinated. In some cases those people, who would have had their immune system being compromised, it is also recommended that they get a third dose of the vaccine.”
These persons are able to access the AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Johnson & Johnson and Sputnik V vaccines.
He urged persons with HIV and AIDS to take the vaccine as he noted the number of vaccinated people in this category is low.
Just about 45.2 per cent of Guyana’s adult population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.