By Chantalé Fletcher
THERE is nothing strange with 80 vials of Pfizer vaccines arriving in Trinidad and Tobago without full documentation.
This according to Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh in an answer to an Urgent Question by Opposition Senator Wade Mark in the Senate on Tuesday.
Mark asked Deyalsingh to explain why the donated 80 vials of Pfizer vaccines from the United States arrived in the country without necessary and proper documentation.
Deyalsingh said, “Once we were informed by customs, we liaised with customs and took the vaccines into our custody pending full documentation; as we have done in the past with donor agencies and with the AstraZeneca vaccines.”
He said, “International aid agencies over the years have done this and what we do is hold these things in bond pending the arrival of full documentation.
“More recently, in the case of receipt of AstraZeneca vaccines which were not yet documented by World Health Organization for EUL (Emergency Use Listing). We accepted a gift of 2,000 doses and held it in bond pending documentation.”
Deyalsingh referred to the Minister of National Security’s statement that they will determine who receives the vaccine.
He said, “They will make the final determination as to who will be the recipients of these vaccines. It will be reserved for members under the remit of the Ministry of National Security.”
The minister added, “The Ministry of Health makes vaccines available, but we do not specify individuals. It is up to the agency whether it is a private sector or a public sector agency to decide who will do that.”
A supplemental question by Mark if the vials were imported to vaccinate people who were affiliated with the ruling People’s National Movement was not allowed by Senate President Christine Kangaloo.
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