By Sue-Ann Wayow
MORE than 4,000 children between the ages of 12 to 18 have received their first dose of the Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine.
On Thursday evening, the Ministry of Health reported that for Trinidad, 3,702 persons received the shot and the Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development in Tobago reported that 352 individuals were administered the vaccine.
The massive drive to vaccinate the country’s youth began on Wednesday at 13 sites across Trinidad. One site- the Divali Nagar compound in Chaguanas begins its operations for that age group on Sunday from 11am and one more site- Centre Pointe Mall also in Chaguanas will start vaccination of the Pfizer vaccine on Friday at 10am.
Tobago will continue its drive at the Signal Hill Secondary School and the Pentecostal Light and Life Foundation on Friday.
Vaccination is expected to continue into the weekend including Saturday and Sunday at the various sites.
Despite the inclement and long waiting time in some areas, parents and guardians went home satisfied that their young loved ones now have some sort of protection against the deadly virus.
Parents of vaccinated children whom AZPNews.com spoke with, said there were no complaints of any ill feeling after receiving the vaccine.
On Wednesday, Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly went with her two teenaged children to be vaccinated at the College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT), Port-of-Spain campus.
She told AZPNews.com, “The process has been well patronized on the first day- despite inclement weather. I am heartened to see parents making the choice to have their children protected.”
Children back in school is good for the economy
Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy, Shante Moore visited the National Academy for Performing Arts (NAPA) site. In an Instagram post, Moore stated, “Especially as a parent myself, I am happy to see so many kids being vaccinated. The Biden-Harris Administration has said that the United States will serve as an arsenal of vaccines for the world. We know that to end this global pandemic, everyone has to do their part and all these parents bringing their children for vaccines are contributing to the fight against Covid-19. Getting kids back in school is important not only for education, but for parents to get back to work and to restart the economy.”
The donation of 300,000 plus Pfizer vaccines – the only approved World Health Organisation (WHO) vaccine for persons between the ages of 12-18, was a gift from the US.
More than 1,400 vaccinated in Couva
The Ato Boldon stadium drive-thru in Couva seems to be a preferred venue choice as in the two-day period, the site that is being managed by Proman energy company vaccinated 1, 470 persons with the Pfizer vaccine.
Proman’s Head of Corporate Communications, Fazad Mohammed told AZPNews.com, the wait was longer on Wednesday because many parents had a lot of questions about the vaccine for doctors.
He said more medical staff were added on to facilitate queries on Thursday and the waiting time was much shorter. By midday, he said over 500 persons were already vaccinated.
Mohammed is also suggesting to accompanying adults that they allow carpooling to avoid traffic backup. Given the structure of the site, up to four persons can be vaccinated at the same time in one vehicle.
The site also continues its administering of the second dose Sinopharm vaccine at its walk-in clinic only.
Over 300 youths vaccinated in Rio Claro
And in Rio Claro, Member of Parliament for Mayaro Rushton Paray told AZPNews.com, the days were a success. Paray who heads the Mayaro Covid-19 Action Task Force said he was pleased to collaborate with the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) and the Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation to mobolise two sites in the district at the Sumairsingh Complex in Rio Claro and the Mayaro Civic Centre.
He said, “Both sites were in full service at 8am this morning with full volunteer support from the IBIS Foundation and the Mayaguaya Youth Organization…The Mayaro Covid-19 Task Force remains committed to supporting critical efforts in combating Covid-19 in the Mayaro Constituency.”
So far, the sites have vaccinated approximately 320 children over the two-day period, AZPNews.com was informed.
