Over 1,000 pre-registered as vaccinations begin in Tobago

More than 1000 Tobagonians have pre-registered to receive the first doses of 3,000 covid19 vaccines on Tuesday, according to THA Secretary of Health, Wellness and Family Development Tracy Davidson-Celestine.

Last Wednesday, TT received 33,600 doses of AztraZeneca vaccines in the first tranche from the World Health Organization’s Covax facility. Of that number, Tobago got 3,000 doses on Thursday, which is expected to vaccinate an estimated 1,500 people. Among those to be vaccinated are essential or frontline workers along with people with chronic illnesses.

Speaking with Newsday on Monday, Davidson-Celestine said all systems were in place for the roll-out which was expected to begin on Tuesday at the Scarborough and Canaan health centres.

She said: “Almost 520 persons have been given appointments and the process continues. So far, our systems are a go. We have more than 1000 persons pre-registered in this phase and the numbers are in-fact climbing. We have no doubt that all 3,000 vaccine doses allocated to Tobago would be fully subscribed.”

She added: “I am happy that the vaccines have arrived into TT and, more specifically, into Tobago. I am happy to take the vaccine and I hope that the public is also as enthusiastic when the vaccine is more widely available.”

The Prime Minister has said he will receive his vaccine in Tobago.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh was scheduled to receive his first dose of the vaccine at the St Joseph Enhanced Health Centre, Champs Fleurs on Tuesday.

On Monday, Davidson-Celestine said the response thus far in people registering in Tobago has been positive.

“We are heartened by the response. The public understands how important the vaccination process is and of course, if we are to treat with covid19, we need all hands-on deck, collaboration is of course important.”

Though the acceptance of the vaccine is voluntary, she is encouraging all to get vaccinated.

“We continue to urge people to step forward, because the life that you save might just be yours or a loved one. I for one, I am anxious so that our economy can reopen and so that we can come back to some level of normalcy as much as we can. If we want to be able to hold our loved ones again, resume economic activities, if we want to open our borders then we must get vaccinated.”

This is the second arrival of vaccines in Tobago as on February 18, it received the first batch of 200 doses, part of a gift of 2,000 AstraZeneca vaccines to TT from Barbados, which targeted 100 healthcare professionals.

In its latest update on Monday, the division said there are 13 active cases on the island as four people had been discharged.

The release noted that there were no new cases, while covid19 deaths remained at two and the number of samples submitted to the Tobago Regional Health Authority, the Caribbean Public Health Agency and other local testing sites is 3,492. So far, 175 samples have tested positive.