By Sue-Ann Wayow
CHILDREN ages five to 11 will not be able to receive the Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine from the current stock available in Trinidad and Tobago based on recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO).
This was stated by Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh on Wednesday following discussions with the Pan American Health Organisation, Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and other organisations.
Speaking at the Ministry of Health’s Covid-19 update, Deyalsingh said based on the consultations, WHO has approved the special paediatric formula of the Pfizer vaccine for that particular age group.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Pfizer stock is due to expire in February after a nine-month shelf life. There are 298,162 doses remaining and Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram has assured that as long as the storage conditions were met, the vaccines will be valid for use until then.
Children 12 to 18 were being given a smaller dosage of the vaccines in stock that were initially given to adults only.
Deyalsingh said, “The information that we have so far, from Saturday to this morning, seems to indicate that at this time, the approval is granted for the special paediatric formula, which is slightly different from the adult formula that we currently have. At this time, it seems that the Pfizer vaccine that is approved will be the paediatric formula which we indicated is a different dosage, it’s a lower dosage, the buffer is different and the packaging is different.”
Last Saturday, Deyalsingh announced that WHO has approved the vaccine for young children and that government would be in the process of procuring those vaccines.
The minister said ministry officials have been in bilateral talks with Pfizer since December 2 for both Paxlovid, the Covid-19 antiviral drug also developed by Pfizer and the paediatric formula.
“We have signed a non-disclosure agreement but just to let the country know we are in the marketplace actively pursuing the special paediatric formula which at this time seems to be what we will have to use,” Deyalsingh said.
He also said initiatives via CARPHA for a collective procurement of the same vaccine were being pursued.
