By Sue-Ann Wayow
THERE is no evidence to support that the Covid-19 Sinopharm vaccine is unsafe although the majority of fully vaccinated people who died took that particular vaccine.
This was the statement made by Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh on Wednesday during the Ministry of Health’s virtual media conference.
Based on information received by AZP News via the Freedom of Information Act that the Sinopharm vaccine was the most prevalent in all fully vaccinated Covid-19 deaths, the minister was asked if this was of concern to Government.
Deyalsingh responded, “There is absolutely no evidence anywhere in the world that exists to indicate that Sinopharm is an unsafe vaccine…When you look also at the Sinopharm persons who were fully vaccinated, of the 411,623 persons who received Sinopharm, who died, it is less than .01%.”
According to information received, out of the 189 fully vaccinated people who died from Covid-19 up to January 19, 2022, in Trinidad and Tobago, 150 were inoculated with Sinopharm.
Deyalsingh said of 1.5 million doses of vaccines given out, 1, 550,104 across first doses, second doses and boosters, Sinopharm represented 58% of that figure with 910,000 doses of the Sinopharm being administered.
“The more popular vaccines will also be reflected in any other data,” he maintained.
He also gave information regarding the other vaccines.
Out of the 1.5 million doses administered, AstraZeneca accounted for 16%, Pfizer – 22% and Johnson & Johnson was administered to 3.75%.
According to the Ministry of Health’s dashboard, as at April 19, 2022, 710,556 persons have been fully vaccinated, and 148,817 boosters administered.
The total deaths by vaccination status as at April 13, 2022 was 3,135 (not fully vaccinated), 267 (fully vaccinated) and 390 prior to the vaccination programme.
The minister continued to advocate for vaccination although daily rates have dropped considerably adding that Government have always been guided by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“WHO vaccine advice has not failed us,” Deyalsingh said.
