Health Ministry prepares for COVID-19 vaccine

2919100

Rishard Khan

[email protected]

The Ministry of Health has started preparations for storing and distributing COVID-19 vaccines when they become available.

According to Minister of Health Terrence Deyalsingh during a virtual press conference on Wednesday, developments surrounding the Moderna vaccine is promising news for T&T. The vaccine is developed as part of the Covaxx facility which T&T has already bought into and if it is successful, the country could receive enough doses to vaccinate 20 per cent of the population in a first tranche.

Deyalsingh said the vaccine’s primary storage and distribution site would be the Couva Multi-Training Facility which would be outfitted with the necessary equipment. The C-40 site and a site in Tobago will be utilised as back up facilities.

The Moderna vaccine is more feasible for T&T compared to competitor Pfizer’s which would be a significant logistical challenge to store and distribute, the minister said.