By Sue-Ann Wayow
ONCE the World Health Organization (WHO) gives approval for booster Covid-19 vaccination shots and there are vaccines available in Trinidad and Tobago, booster shots will be given to those most vulnerable.
This is according to Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram who reminded the public that only the creators of the Pfizer vaccine have requested the allowance to give booster shots from WHO and approval is pending.
Speaking at the Ministry of Health’s virtual media conference on Monday, Dr Parasram said studies continued to be conducted on other types of vaccines in terms of protection duration and he suspects that other vaccine manufacturers may ask for a booster shot.
He added that research has shown that the AstraZeneca vaccine offers a longer period of protection against the virus and even the possibility of life-long protection but more research continues to be conducted.
Dr Parasram said, “We stand on the back of WHO’s policy as it relates to vaccination in terms of our policy for Trinidad and Tobago and we will wait of course until WHO gives the green light for Pfizer to be used as a booster.”
He added, “If they do approve it as a booster and we do have vaccines in stock, the plan will be to get the majority of the people fully vaccinated first and of course if there are vulnerable people that require boosters then we will go down that way.”
Dr Parasram indicated that a small percentage of hospitalised Covid-19 patients were fully vaccinated.
The CMO also maintained that Covid-19 vaccines will only be administered to persons who were Covid-19 positive, three months after they have tested positive for the virus.
And he gave an explanation as to why religious places may be re-opened for worship and not beaches and other areas that had open air.
Dr Parasram explained that in any area where a person has to take off the mask for an activity, it increases the risk of Covid-19 spread.
“Any environment that you have to take off your mask, poses a significantly higher risk than one in which you are wearing your mask at all points in time.
“That is a main consideration when we look at recommendations for public health safety of various places. Anywhere you take off your mask whether it is to eat in terms of in-house dining in a restaurant or any other space that people are in close contact, having your mask off is at a considerably higher risk,” he said.
