PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Health Minister Terrance Deyalsingh Friday said the anti-vaccine lobby is gaining ground in Trinidad and Tobago and denied reports that HINI vaccines were in short supply in the country.
“It is regrettable and I continue to say it, it is regrettable that Trinidad and Tobago has fallen victim, like the rest of the world to the anti-vaccine lobby which is putting millions of children’s’ lives at risk,” he told Parliament.
“There is even a case now in the United States where an 18-year-old boy, who was not vaccinated as a child is now taking legal action against his parents for not getting him vaccinated as a child. That is how bad it is and I urge all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to ignore the anti-vaccers that have a loud voice and access to main stream media in Trinidad and Tobago”.
Deyalsingh, responding to a question from an opposition legislator, said that contrary to the misinformation being peddled here, the supply of HINI vaccines “is not currently depleted in health facilities”.
He told legislators that as of March 14 this year, all health facilities had vaccines in stock “and there are 13, 791 of these doses in circulation at the various health facilities”.
“Currently at Central Stores there are 26, 400 doses available for distribution,” he said, adding that the anti-vaccine lobby worldwide has been gaining momentum.
“Unfortunately Trinidad and Tobago has not been vaccinated against it,” he told legislators, saying recent media headlines worldwide have done little to help curb the situation.
