Although T&T has not recorded any fatalities associated with the administration of the Pfizer vaccine which began on August 18, the Ministry of Health has confirmed one report of a person suffering an adverse reaction to the injection.
“We have received a report of at least one allergic reaction that was handled by the health system,” Epidemiologist Dr Avery Hinds said as he responded to questions during yesterday’s COVID-19 media briefing.
Although he refrained from disclosing the patient’s age, sex and symptoms, he reported that the person was doing “quite well.”
Pressed about the alleged claim of one death owing to this particular vaccine, Hinds said information of such situations would be communicated to the public if and when they occur.
He assured, “As those events come up, you’ll definitely be notified if there’s any trend that indicates any problem or any danger. The objective of the vaccination programme and of the health system is to improve health and to avoid risks. So, if any information comes up that suggests risk, then the ministry will, of course, take the necessary steps to reduce that risk.”
Pfizer is the only vaccine that has so far been approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for use in children between the ages of 12 to 18, as well as in women who have reached week 13 of their pregnancy. The vaccine has also now been approved by the Food and Drug Adminstration in the US. T&T’s Pfizer vaccines expire on November 30, while the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) jabs expire in May 2023.
Asked about the ministry’s policy regarding a COVID-19 booster shot, Hinds said no decision has been taken to administer booster shots to the population.
