Ambassador Lynch delivers Remarks at COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Workshop, Region 2

Remarks as prepared
Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch
COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Workshop, Region 2 
March 14, 2022

Honorable Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Health,
Ms. Vilma Desilva, Regional chairperson, Region 2,
Mr. Devanand Ramdatt, Regional Executive Officer, Region 2,
Irfan Akhtar, UNICEF Deputy Representative to Guyana and Suriname,
Ministry of Health colleagues,
Peer Educators,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Members of the media,

Good morning.

It is my pleasure to be here with you today in the Cinderella county.

Vaccine hesitancy is one of the major barriers to ensure a return to a sort of normalcy as we know it.  Armed with the knowledge gained from this workshop, your work is instrumental to helping people overcome their fears and concerns surrounding vaccine hesitancy through information grounded in science. This can save many lives and help Guyana to bounce back from the devastating effects of COVID-19.

The United States is proud to continue our partnership with the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and the Guyanese people through initiatives like this to continue to raise awareness about the pandemic, the importance of getting vaccinated for your safety and the safety of your families, and the Government of Guyana’s response to this public health crisis.

We are not safe until all of us are safe.

I wish the instructors and you, the participants, all the best in realizing the objectives of this workshop, and commend the support from the regional leadership, the central Ministry of Health and our partner, UNICEF, in making this activity a reality.

Thank you