(Trinidad Guardian) Only two per cent of the people who died from COVID-19 and five per cent of those hospitalised were vaccinated against the disease, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley revealed yesterday.
He gave that information at a media briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, where adjustments to the public health regulations were announced, including the lifting of restrictions on some activities for fully vaccinated people.
Dr Rowley said although the country has had a steady supply of vaccines since August, there are more than 400,000 eligible citizens who are still not vaccinated. He said the country is still far from the vaccination goal that had been set for November.
He said only 48,000 of the approximately 90,000 students in the 12 to 18 age group had been vaccinated as many parents were hesitant although the children were willing.
The prime minister also said Government is closely monitoring developments with vaccine approvals and if the World Health Organisation (WHO) approves a vaccine for children 5 to 12 his administration would look into making it mandatory.
He added that Government has not taken its eyes off the children of this country and that is why a decision was made to conduct the SEA exams and allow vaccinated Forms 4, 5, and 6 students to attend in-person classes.
He said he got a WhatsApp message from a stranger yesterday morning asking him: “What you saying now because two vaccinated people died.”
Dr Rowley said: “We never said to you that the vaccine will prevent you from getting infected but if you are vaccinated and your body has immunity, then your body will perform better and you will not end up in the ICU or HDU.
In the case of the deaths of vaccinated people, he added, the question arises as to when they were vaccinated.
On the prospects for vaccination boosters, he said: “We are observing the science and authorisation with respect to the use of boosters in the vaccination programme, and we will be guided by the health department on that and the international clearances when they come.”
Health Minister Dr Terrence Deyalsingh, who gave an update on the vaccination programme, said about 3,000 people a day are getting vaccinated, and approximately 43 per cent of the population has been administered a first dose while 29,769 had taken the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine.
There are 589,083 COVID-19 vaccine doses currently available in the country, the minister revealed. He added that outreaches have proven to be successful and roving health teams are going door-to-door in some communities.
