Gopeesingh: Be wary of covid19 vaccines sourced through private sector

Former Caroni East MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh says there is need to be cautious when accepting covid19 vaccines through private-sector companies.

Gopeesingh made the remarks in response to Newsday's question at the Opposition's weekly media briefing at the Office of the Opposition Leader, Charles Street, Port of Spain on Sunday on reports that Vary Medical and Scientific Co Ltd was prepared to secure three million doses of the Covishield vaccine for distribution in Trinidad and Tobago.

Manager of the company Yashpal Sharma told Newsday he was awaiting approval from the Ministry of Health to do so.

Gopeesingh, who is also a gynaecologist, said he was not aware of all the information on the company and did not want to comment. However, he said there is need for caution when sourcing vaccines through private companies owing to the high risk at this time.
"I would be sceptical, as a medical doctor myself, to even consider accepting a vaccine that has come from a private-sector (company). That is where one has to be very cautious. So, from our perspective, that is for the Ministry of Health and the relevant government agencies to address that."

Gopeesingh also accused the government of inaction in obtaining vaccines and described the process as “an abysmal failure.”

He said the Prime Minister was overly reliant on this country sourcing vaccines through the Covax facility and this led Trinidad and Tobago to fall behind in its vaccination programme.
Gopeesingh said it was well known that India Prime Minister Narendra Modi told world leaders his country was set to manufacture vaccines on a large scale and was also prepared to donate some.

“Where was Dr Keith Rowley when the India prime minister was speaking at the United Nations? He recently said he learnt about India’s vaccines from doctors. Who does he think he is trying to fool with that statement?

“His Minister of health knew they had received 2000 vaccines from Barbados, he knew the Barbados prime minister had written Prime Minister Modi on January 23, he knew Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit had written asking Prime Minister Modi for vaccines, but he sat back.”

Gopeesingh also accused Rowley of attacking the Indian High Commissioner to TT and then sending Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne to soothe the situation.
“He attacks the private sector for trying to help even on the request of his health minister Terrence Deyalsingh (who said) the Ansa McAl group approached him, but the Ansa McAl group said it was the minister who approached them. So who is speaking the truth here?”