By Prior Beharry
OPPOSITION Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar will be allowed to debate a matter on the adjournment of the House of Representatives on the massive vaccination programme by the Government today (Wednesday).
There was chaos at vaccinations sites across the country as the Ministry of Health rolled out its walk-in programme. The police had to shut down a number of health centres as social distancing was not adhered to.
Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh apologised at the his ministry’s presser earlier today and stated that from tomorrow an alphabetic system will be put in place to help with the crowds.
In the Lower House, Persad-Bissessar raised as a matter of definite urgent importance – Government’s implementation of the mass public vaccination programme.
Referring to Standing Order 17, Persad-Bissessar said, “I hereby seek your leave to move the adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the Government’s disastrous implementation of mass public vaccination programme.”
She said the matter was definite as it related specifically to persons who were willing to be vaccinated at health centres.
Persad-Bissessar said, “The matter is definite as there are large crowds gathered outside of the health centres as a result of the walk-in system to access the vaccines.
“This has caused large gatherings of crowds outside health centres as the vaccines are administered on a first-come-first-serve basis.”
The opposition leader said, “The matter is urgent because the government’s public invitation resulted in risky mass congregations at vaccination locations nationwide today and that is currently ongoing.”
She said the matter was of public importance since the decision to administer the vaccines “resulted in potential super-spreader events that may result in a massive spike in Covid-19 infections that could lead to loss of life; and it is not the most efficient method of ensuring that citizens are safely vaccinated.”
Persad-Bissessar added, “Further, the crowds that have gathered are elderly persons and persons who may suffer comorbidities.
“Therefore, this requires definite and urgent steps to be taken to prevent the further spread of this virus and further loss of lives.”
Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George allowed the matter to be debated at 6 pm today when Persad-Bissessar will speak after which the Minister of Health should respond.
