By Prior Beharry
ADMINISTRATORS of long-stay homes for the elderly are not happy with the way Covid-19 vaccines are being rolled out for residents.
This is the view of President of Trinidad and Tobago Resident Care Association Caroline Ruiz.
She said, “We are unhappy with the situation since we were promised vaccines two weeks ago on May 29.”
Speaking at a virtual media conference on Monday, Health Minster Terrence Deyalsingh said 750 doses were given to staff and residents of these homes and that Ruiz had requested another 1,000 which will be delivered when the next batch of vaccines arrived in the country.
Although Deyalsingh said he spoke to Ruiz, she told AZPNews.com on Friday she doesn’t not know how many of her members and residents were vaccinated.
Ruiz said she was contacted by only three long-stay homes which noted that they received vaccines. She said she did not know the exact number that was given and they were still waiting on vaccines for the other homes.
She said there was now an influx of requests for vaccines after Deyalsingh made a call for the children and guardians to grant permission to have the jabs administered to residents.
Ruiz said she represented 190 long-stay homes which accommodate 4,000 residents with 180 owners and 570 caregivers.
She said in February, following a request, only 17% or 813 of these people registered to get the vaccines. They comprised 732 residents, 26 owners and 55 caregivers. There are more that 300 of these homes in T&T, she said.
Ruiz said she was in contact with Advisor in Health Promotion Communications and Public Health Dr Rohit Doon and received a letter from the Ministry of Health on Friday “that they were on it” and that vaccinations should take place within two weeks.
She said she was told that vaccination was being done by regional health authorities.
Ruiz suggested just one nurse to come to long-stay homes to administer the Covid-19 vaccines as is done with the flu shot. She said the homes would have their own nurses to assist and if an ambulance was needed, one could be called at 811.
The administrator of one home in northwest Trinidad said they have even asked the Ministry of Health to provide a venue so that they could shuttle their residents to a facility to get the jab.
She said all her efforts have amounted to nought.
