sascha.wilson@guardian.co.tt
There was a smooth and steady flow of people seeking AstraZeneca and Sinopharm vaccines at mass vaccination sites throughout the country yesterday.
There were some changes yesterday at the Southern Academy for Performing Arts in San Fernando, following Monday’s incident where police and those seeking to be vaccinated raised concerns about social distancing.
There were separate locations at the building for clients accessing the AstraZeneca and Sinopharm vaccines. Cones were also placed on the compound to direct the traffic flow.
Suzette Adhar and her friend Cordel Mc Lean were walk-ins for the AstraZeneca vaccine. They arrived about 6 am.
“It was a long wait to get in, however, the process itself was very organised. We waited about two hours to get in to get our vaccines done.”
Mc Lean had planned to take the Sinopharm but then decided to go with AstraZeneca.
Members of the public leaving SAPA after they receive the vaccine yesterday.
RISHI RAGOONATH
“I was going to take the Sinopharm, I made my appointment, then AstraZeneca came in the week. So why not?” she said.
However, they had to wait until the people with appointments were dealt with, which he said was fair.
Venezuelan national Wilder Agreda Huerta was also happy he got his vaccine and encouraged other people to get vaccinated.
Gasparillo resident Ramjit Kissoon came with his wife and daughter to get the AstraZeneca shot. He said they were waiting for the AstraZeneca to arrive here.
“We usually travel to Canada and Canada do not recognise the Sinopharm vaccine, so it would have been a problem for us, sowe waited and we took this opportunity as the AstraZeneca came out, we made our appointment on Sunday and we got through today.”
When Guardian Media visited the vaccination sites at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) and Roman Catholic Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Port-of-Spain, there was a slow but steady flow of people.
Venezuelan nationals Carmen Huerta Morales and Wilder Agreda Huerta pose for a photo after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine at SAPA yesterday.
RISHI RAGOONATH
The AstraZeneca vaccines were donated from Canada and according to Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, 31,330 vaccines will expire by the end of August while the other 50,700 will expire at the end of October.
People have been asked to register through a call centre and online appointment system but walk-ins will also be facilitated.
T&T is expected to receive another batch of AstraZeneca vaccines through the COVAX facility this week, according to PAHO.
The Ministry of Health reported yesterday that five additional COVID-19 fatalities were recorded, taking the toll to 1,144.
There were 213 new cases of the virus.
The total number of active cases stood at 5,891.
A nurse gives a member of the church her COVID-19 vaccine at the Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.
KERWIN PIERRE.