By Chantalé Fletcher
TRINIDAD and Tobago will continue to use World Health Organization-approved vaccines against Covid-19.
This according to Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh in answer to an Urgent Question by Opposition MP Rudranath Indarsingh in the Lower House on Friday.
Indarsingh asked Deyalsingh about steps taken to ensure vaccinated persons with AstraZeneca and Sinopharn can travel to countries in the European Union.
Deyalsingh described T&T policy and position as two-fold.
He said “We have always insisted on using World Health Organization (WHO) vaccines which therefore carries its own stamp of approval.
“Any country, any agency that is sovereign is free to make decisions as they see fit. Our position is that we respect the rights of others to make decisions and we stand by our decisions to use WHO approved vaccines.”
The minister responded to Oropouche East MP Roodal Moonilal’s question on whether he would liaise with the Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs to find solutions for the post-Covid economic recovery period.
However, Deyalsingh stated, “I noticed the glee of the Opposition who have been trying to sabotage the government’s vaccination programme from day one.”
He accused the Opposition of pretending that this a Trinidad and Tobago problem. AstraZeneca and Sinopharn are currently being used in 212 countries around the world.
Deyalsingh emphasised, “This is not a Trinidad and Tobago problem. It’s a global issue.”
Referring to a headline from the Independent Newspaper of Great Britain, he highlighted that, “Millions of British given Indian – made AstraZeneca doses could be excluded from the European Union (EU) passport team.”
He added, “Germany, Spain and others are willing to accept Indian-made doses of AstraZeneca vaccines.”
The minister described the situation as fluid, dynamic, ever-changing and is the subject of policy discussions around the world.
He also stressed that the government of T&T will do all that it can as a sovereign state to advocate for our interest.
