Rishard Khan
rishard.khan@guardian.co.tt
The T&T Medical Association is denying claims by Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh that it has endorsed the use of the Pfizer paediatric COVID-19 vaccines for children 5 to 11 years.
Deyalsingh made the claim on Sunday during the rededication of the Arima General Hospital.
However, the Medical Association’s PRO, Dr Frank Ramlakchansingh, told Guardian Media yesterday that the organisation has not yet decided to fully endorse it.
“We did not make any statement saying we’re in favour of the vaccine for the 5 to 11 years old,” he said.
“Neither did we say we’re against it, but we did not say we endorsed it. This seems to be what he seems to be putting out.”
Dr Ramlackhansingh said the association is currently deliberating its stance on the vaccine and a final word is expected by the weekend.
“One of our leading paediatricians is looking into this matter right now. She’s trying to gather data and present the facts to the membership,” he said.
However, he does not believe the organisation will give a broad endorsement of the vaccine.
“There’s a middle road here in the sense that I don’t think we’ll come out and for or against the vaccine as such. There’s certain circumstances where children definitely should get the vaccine,” he said.
Still, he said children living with people at a high risk of an adverse outcome from COVID-19, or who are themselves within that group, should get it.
He clarified that “vaccines are of benefit.”
“Look what it’s done for polio, smallpox, measles, mumps, rubella, et cetera,” he said.