HAS T&T PEAKED WITH VOLUNTARY COVID JABS?

WITH only about 30 percent of the population having received both doses, Trinidad and Tobago may have maxed out on voluntary Covid-19 vaccinations. 

Medics in both the public sector are now speculating that the vaccination rate would not increase markedly unless the Government imposes mandatory vaccinations. 

Official statistics up to Wednesday September 1, 2021 indicate that 918,000 doses were given and 404,000 people were fully vaccinated. 

There has been a striking slowdown in vaccinations over the past couple of weeks, with the authorities urging people to get the jab at drive-through facilities. 

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has been hinting about introducing compulsory vaccinations, especially in the secondary school system. 

A total of 50,000 Pfizer vaccines are now available, Rowley said. 

He expressed disappointment about the low vaccination rate in Tobago. 

A medical official at a national regional health authority said the few numbers of people turning up for jabs at public venues is a sign that everyone disposed to the having the vaccines have already done so. 

“We may have peaked or close to it,” he said. 

That view was shared by other medics with whom CounterPunchTT spoke. 

As in other countries, there is a large number of so-called “anti-vaxers,” people who are opposed to getting the jab for a variety of reasons. 

Rowley said that certain public places would be permitted for the patronage of only vaccinated people. 

The Opposition is opposed to mandatory vaccination.