By Sue-Ann Wayow
DESPITE the alphabetical system being rolled out from today regarding the walk-in vaccinations, there were still problems at various sites across the country.
At some sites, vaccines were given to only 50 persons. Some showed up carrying their own seats as there was an anticipated long wait.
Many returned to vaccination sites on Thursday after showing up in long lines on Wednesday, a situation which Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh has apologised for.
On Wednesday, Deyalsingh said from Thursday, an alphabetical system would be introduced and persons over the age of 60 with surnames starting from A to E would be facilitated.
Persons who showed up at these sites on Wednesday but were not attend to, their names were taken down. Some showed up on Thursday morning just to return home.
At the St Joseph Enhanced Health Centre people were turned after after being told that there were not enough vaccines for them. Their names were taken by officials.
There were no-parking signs at the facility and the northern carpark of the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex obliquely opposite the centre was visibly almost empty.
There were similar experiences in other areas.
One person told AZPNews.com, “My housekeeper went to Diego Martin Health Center this morning at 6.30 for her vaccine. She joined a line of about 100 people. At 7.50, a guard came out and said they only had 50 vaccines and everyone had to leave. This is absolute craziness.”
At the Joseph Health Centre many were also turned away.
And at Freeport Health Center another said, “It had a long line of people with names between A to E but most of them we’re told to go back home as they only had 50 shots available. They now will have to wait until the alphabet goes to Z and then starts over to come back.”
Minister promises vaccines for everyone
Speaking at the Ministry of Health virtual press conference on Wednesday Deyalsingh promised that every person in Trinidad and Tobago regardless of legal status should be able to get a Covid-19 vaccine as long as it is available.
He said, “Every soul in Trinidad and Tobago will have access to vaccines.”
Deyalsingh made reference to a Cabinet decision made in June 2019 that all immigrants in Trinidad and Tobago, regardless of their status will be eligible for vaccines.
He said, “And this is planned for what we call Phase 3 in the vaccination roll-out. That is when we get huge amounts of vaccines. So all immigrants, every soul in Trinidad and Tobago will have access to vaccines. That is Government’s policy and will be implemented pending the arrival of what we call large commercial quantity of vaccines.”
Trinidad and Tobago presently has roughly around 16,000 Venezuelans operating under a legal status having received a national registration card, a process that began in May 2019.
However, many are still arriving through illegal channels and the Ministry of National Security recently announced a ramping up of border protection.
Related story below:
