By Sue-Ann Wayow
SOME 1.44 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered nationally including first, second and booster shots and to date there have been no deaths related to vaccination.
This is according to Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh.
He was speaking at the Ministry of Health’s Covid-19 update on Wednesday.
Deyalsingh again urged the population to become vaccinated especially with the presence of the very transmissible Omicron variant even though some individuals still had skepticism regarding the Covid-19 vaccine.
He reported that approximately 2,000 booster shots were now being given daily with more than 90,000 persons acquiring one. 
Deyalsingh said at designated vaccination sites, 1,596 public sector workers have received the Covid-19 jab.
He said, “The conversation now and it is unfortunate, that with 20, 30 deaths per day, the conversation within this country is not about getting people more vaccinated. Between first dose, second dose and boosters, we have administered 1,444, 171 doses of vaccine. One point four, four million (1.44 M) with no deaths attributable to vaccination but every day 20 and 30 people are dying.”
He also emphasised that whatever vaccine was available to the population, the effectiveness lied in the booster shot.
The minister said he was unaware of reasons as to why many voices were being currently raised in the public domain against vaccination, that the vaccines should not be trusted and that they do more harm than good.
Admitting again there were no guarantees with taking a Covid-19 vaccine, Deyalsingh maintained that the vaccine promises to significantly reduce the chance of being infected and being able to transmit the virus.
He said it also significantly reduces the chances of ending up in a hospital and in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and significantly reduces death.
Deyalsingh said, “We need as a society, all players and all members to be pulling in the same direction because we are in a tug of war with the virus.”
