The Ministry of Health, through the Maternal and Child Health Department, has officially launched Guyana's first national influenza vaccination programme under the theme "Strengthening Systems, Guiding Growth, Protecting Lives through Influenza Vaccination" at the Eccles Health Centre.

Delivering the feature address, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, described the initiative as a historic milestone for Guyana's healthcare system.

"Influenza is not as harmless as we sometimes believe. Globally, it affects around one billion people each year, resulting in up to 650,000 deaths. With vaccination, we can protect our vulnerable populationschildren, the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with chronic illnesses while also safeguarding our frontline health workers," Dr. Anthony stated.

Dr. Anthony further highlighted that Guyana has recently strengthened its influenza surveillance systems by joining the World Health Organization's FluNet and FluID platforms. Through these platforms, Guyana now contributes vital data and virus samples to help inform global vaccine development.

The newly introduced vaccine, GC-Flu, is a trivalent influenza vaccine that provides protection against H1N1, H3N2, and Influenza B (Victoria lineage) strains. The Minister reassured the public that GC-Flu is safe, cannot cause influenza, and that any side effects are generally mild and shortlived.

The Ministry of Health is urging all eligible persons particularly vulnerable groups and healthcare workers to access GC-Flu, which will be available free of cost at health facilities nationwide.

Vulnerable groups include pregnant women, children, the elderly, persons with chronic non-communicable diseases and healthcare workers.