By Sue-Ann Wayow
AS the drive-thru vaccination site in Wallerfield gets underway on Wednesday, the other site in Couva has already vaccinated some 1,000 persons.
The site at the Ato Boldon stadium, Aquatic Centre and the Cycling Velodrome became operational on Monday. Walk-ins are also being accepted.
Managed by energy company Proman that is headquartered in Switzerland, persons who showed up to get their Covid-19 vaccines said they were very pleased with the arrangement.
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh toured the Couva site on Tuesday and the Wallerfield site on Wednesday.
Proman in a press release stated, “The Proman family of companies is supporting the Ministry of Health with the Mass Covid-19 Vaccination Programme, currently being managed at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva. This is part of the Ministry’s wider national vaccination initiative being deployed across Trinidad and Tobago with assistance from private sector partners.
“As a responsible corporate partner, we are pleased to join the Ministry and other key stakeholders in ensuring that members of the public and individuals across our communities have access to the Covid-19 vaccine, which will play a vital role in helping our country return to a more normal way of life.”
The company that is the world’s second largest methanol producer has partnered with others in private sector including event management company Icreate to assist in the operations and thanked all staff and volunteers working to make the initiative a success.
AZPNews.com was told that approximately 150 persons were working at the site including volunteers.
The initiative began with Proman employees, family and friends and is now open to the public.
Taylor Abraham from the Icreate team said 500 first shots of the Sinopharm vaccine were completed on Monday and another 500 were expected by Tuesday.
There were several checkpoints along the facility with each checkpoint conducting a different activity such as registration, the administering of the vaccine and the observation area.
There are water stops along the way, washroom facilities, live entertainment and refreshments.
Vaccinated persons then exit along the northbound lane of the Solomon Hochoy Highway.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Deyalsingh said the Ministry of Health would be considering partnering with the private sector to have more drive-thru facilities as Government presses towards its goal of vaccinating as soon as possible 70% of the adult population.
