By Sue-Ann Wayow
TOBAGO starts administering the Sinopharm vaccine to its population as the island reaches its highest number of Covid-19 positive cases so far.
And the population seems to be more interested in obtaining this vaccine than the previously administered AstraZeneca vaccine.
The island received an initial 1,500 from the first batch that arrived this week. Secretary of the Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development Tracy Davidson-Celestine had requested an initial 3,000 of the Sinopharm vaccines.
At a virtual press conference on Friday, she said upon completed use of those vials, more will be requested.
So far, over 4,000 people have been vaccinated with under 25% of healthcare workers accepting vaccination, said General Manager for Primary Care Services at the Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) Dr Roxanne Mitchell.
She said the estimated adult population of Tobago was between 45,000 to 47,000 persons.
The doctor said, “All things being equal, we are going to aim for about 45,000 persons.”
Dr Mitchell said 433 healthcare workers have been already vaccinated out of about 2,000.
“The TRHA has a staffing complement at about 1,600, that would include not only clinical but also operational and administrative staff. We also have private sector for which we include caretakers, dentists and all of those persons.”
She added that in the beginning, while there were some skepticism about the Covid-19 vaccine but the Tobago population was becoming receptive.
Dr Mitchell said, “Just on the ground, I have a number of persons calling and inquiring as to how and when they could get the vaccine.
“I think a lot more persons are receptive to receiving the Sinopharm, one because of the technology used. Quite unlike with what happened with AstraZeneca where people were apprehensive, I do find that a lot more persons are coming forward and wanting to avail themselves of this particular vaccine.”
On May 14, Tobago would have completed its rollout of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine which consisted of 270 multi-dose vials given a total of 4,216 persons who received the vaccine.
Dr Mitchell said, “The Sinopharm vaccine comes in single dose vials so each vaccine is individually packaged. As a result, we have no overage and no extra doses. We expect that the 1,500 doses received by Tobago, will of course only go into the arms of 1,500 individuals.”
Vaccinations continue to be done by appointments only and are currently being done at the facilities in Scarborough, Roxborough and Canaan.
