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By Fareeza HaniffGuyana is still awaiting the arrival of 240,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine.The shipment was scheduled to arrive in Guyana yesterday, but this did not materialize.Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy at a press conference held yesterday informed the media that up to yesterday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had not indicated that the date for Guyana receiving the vaccine has changed.“Up to 12’o clock today (yesterday) the WHO has not been able to give me any update on it. We still expect to receive it,” Minister Ramsammy said.However, he finds it unacceptable that the vaccines are not in the country as yet, given the fact that there were two deadlines – November 15 initially, then December 15.“Despite this, no one seems to be able to give Guyana more definitive answers. So we have not had any answer in spite of my inquiry previously.”Dr. Ramsammy also revealed that no shipping documents have been received as yet, to indicate whether the vaccines are indeed on the way.However, the minister noted that he is still being assured that Guyana will get the vaccine.The Ministry of Health was in active arrangement with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), WHO and the Revolving Fund, which it is part of, in order to procure the vaccine that prevents against the H1N1 virus commonly referred to as ‘Swine Flu.’However, procuring this vaccine is not an easy task for Guyana, since huge contracts have already been signed by the developed countries for more than three-quarters of what will be produced.“America alone will buy it up…they already signed contracts and paid for it and we are not going to be able to pay for that upfront,” Minister Ramsammy had stated at one of his press conferences.Minister Ramsammy had explained that the Caribbean, Central America and South America, depending on whether there will be one dose or two doses will probably need between 400 and 500 million doses of the vaccine if they are going to vaccinate the entire population.Those who will be receiving the vaccine when it arrives in the country include children less than five years of age, pregnant women, the elderly and persons with certain existing health conditions that will make them vulnerable.The Health Ministry is also considering targeting groups based on their occupation, such as health care providers, those employed at the airport and security personnel.At this time, Guyana does not have the resources to vaccinate the entire population. If 500,000 people were to be vaccinated, it would cost the Ministry of Health another $800 million in procurement cost.