There were some hiccups in north Trinidad on Friday when the national covid19 vaccination programme resumed.
Many people with appointments who were unable to get the AstraZeneca vaccine were left confused at the gates of vaccination sites.
Last week, after the arrival of 100,000 Sinopharm doses from China, Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh said people over 60 with or without comorbidities or those under 60 with comorbidities, and healthcare workers would be eligible for this phase of vaccination.
Trinidad and Tobago has also received a 16,000-dose AstraZeneca donation from St Vincent and the Grenadines.
When Newsday visited five sites, many people expressed concern over what they described as the inefficient and unreliable appointment system. Some said they had been struggling to find out whether they had to renew their appointment.
Athough Deyalsingh advised the public not to visit the sites to make appointments, but to do so using contact information the ministry had provided, many people told Newsday they were there to make one or to find out the status of their appointment request.
[caption id="attachment_890963" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Robin Phillips and his wife Sharon, got the Sinopharm vaccine at the La Horquetta Health Centre. - Photo by Roger Jacob[/caption]
At the La Horquetta Health Centre, there was a handful of people with appointments and another small group of seniors seeking information about appointments.
Officials at the site told Newsday they were unsure how they should deal with those who weren't able to get vaccinated on their appointment dates.
One man said he has been trying for three days. He told Newsday he had always been open to taking the vaccine, but had several issues trying to get through to the phone number provided.
“I’m not like the others who now rushing. I’m just tired of calling, and decided to come down to talk to someone. Other people now realising people dying and getting sick, so for me, I'll take it because I need a fighting chance.”
Another man, from Malabar, said he had an appointment in early May.
“I was always open to taking the vaccine, but it is what it is. I have people around me testing positive and I have comorbidities. I had an appointment on May 17 but the AstraZeneca ran out and now I'm not sure if I'll even get one.”
The vaccination sites at the National Racquet Centre, Tacarigua, and the Paddock at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, were closed.
Vaccination at the St Joseph Enhanced Health Centre restarted smoothly.
[caption id="attachment_890964" align="alignnone" width="1024"] VACCINATIONS RESTARTED: A nurse takes information from an elderly gentleman waiting for his opportunity to receive the Sinopharm vaccine at the St Joseph Enhanced Health Facility. - Photo by Roger Jacob[/caption]
Alvin Maharaj, 66, told Newsday after he got his first dose of the vaccine, there were no lines or anyone waiting for the vaccine at t
