Clarity needed on covid19 vaccine

THE PRIME Minister has assured he will be first in line when the covid19 vaccine arrives. That, at least, is certain when it comes to the local vaccination drive.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said the State was preparing to receive vaccines long before it was announced they were available. In December, Dr Rowley said doses to inoculate a third of the population were coming.

“TT has pre-ordered vaccines to cover 33 per cent of our population, that is, 461,000 persons, at a cost of $9.7 million,” the PM told Parliament. “We have already made an initial payment of $1.477 million. Once a vaccine is approved we will receive, in the first instance, enough vaccine for 20 per cent of the population, that is, 279,000 persons.”

Different vaccines available have different dosage requirements. Some require two shots a month apart. Others require one. So when officials say a certain number is coming, they need to clarify what they mean and from whence these shots are coming.

Mr Deyalsingh this month gave different figures. He said vaccination will begin in March, with 25,000 people being offered two doses of vaccine.

The minister added the vaccines are being procured through two avenues. Firstly, Covax, a World Health Organization mechanism for pooled procurement. Secondly, through individual talks with companies like Pfizer from the US, AstraZeneca from the UK and Sinopharm in China.

But what is the upper limit beyond which the State need not procure further doses, however sourced, and the country will have collective herd immunity?

In November, Chief Medical Officer Dr Roshan Parasram said “the literature” suggested vaccinating between 50 and 88 per cent of the population would likely result in herd immunity. Others have put the requirement as high as 94 per cent.

Newsday columnist Kiran Mohammed has called on Government to acquire 2.4 million vaccines now, assuming an immunity requirement of 90 per cent.

“Our case numbers have been falling until recently,” noted Mr Mohammed, an economist by training. “But make no mistake, unless and until almost the entire population is vaccinated, 2021 will be a repeat of 2020.”

At present, the main defences keeping TT’s covid19 numbers down are that the borders remain closed and some restrictions are still in place – and many people, who are trapped overseas, or whose businesses are being drastically affected, are chafing against those measures.

Jamaica has been open about its difficulties meeting its targets. It has turned to Cuba, China and India. On Tuesday, Venezuela said it would run trials of a Cuban vaccine.

In his capacity as Caricom chairman, Rowley this week joined neighbouring countries in calling for an international summit to address vaccine access for small states. Are we encountering complications?

There are many uncertainties about the pandemic, but we need to be made aware of whatever facts are known, especially those which may give reason for optimism.