By Prior Beharry
LONG lines are witnessed across the country as the Ministry of Health launches its walk-in programme for the Covid-19 vaccine on Wednesday.
Social media was abuzz with videos and photos at almost every health centre from Carenage to Diego Martin to Barataria, St Joseph and Ste Madeleine showing long lines of people waiting to get vaccinated.
One person who was at the Carenage Health Centre told AZPNews.com, “This is a recipe to get Covid-19, people finding it hard to social distance.”
AZPNews.com was told that at certain facilities including the Freeport District Health Facility, peoples names and information were taken and they were told to return another day to receive a first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine.
One person over 60 said he visited both the Couva and Freeport health centres but was unsuccessful in getting his vaccine.
He said, “I can tell you it’s utter chaos in these places. Even though this was expected I think from what I saw there are a lot of young persons, under 60 resulting in the over 60s having to endure long lines for long periods.
He added, “Apart from the Ministry of Health having to get their act together my feeling is that the policy should change and over 60s should be in a batch by themselves in the first instance and then filter down to under 60s with NCDs.”
He added, “While I was there a lot of over 60s went back home including myself leaving the younger ones who can endure this madness. This is unfair to us.”
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh on Tuesday said the vaccines will be distributed at 36 district health centres over the next few days.
The Sinopharm vaccines are part of the 100,000 donated by China and are intended for people over 60 any those under 60 with NCDs.
There was an appointment system in place, but Deyalsingh announced on Saturday that it will be cancelled to cater mainly for the elderly who may not be technology savvy.
