The Ministry of Health in Trinidad and Tobago last night issued a correction after Minister Terrence Deyalsingh earlier stated the COVID-19 vaccine donations did not come from Barbados.
“The Minister confirms that the 2 000 doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine were, in fact, a gift given to Trinidad and Tobago from Barbados. This was generously provided from the stock of vaccines that the Government of India provided to Barbados for their use,” a statement said.
“The Minister of Health was unfortunately misinformed and apologises for this error. The Minister also offers his deepest gratitude to the people of Barbados for this kind gesture of regional collaboration.”
During a media conference on Wednesday, a journalist asked Deyalsingh if the vaccines were donated by Barbados.
“No, no, no, no,” he said. “The Government of India made a gift to the region, using Barbados as a central depository. From that, we got 2 000,”.
“I was getting reports it was from Barbados’ supply so I just wanted that clarity,” the journalist said.
“No,” Deyalsingh said again.
Barbados received 100 000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine last week and shared thousands of doses with Caribbean neighbours. Dominica also received 70 00 and distributed some among their fellow Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States members.
Several islands across the region have since started rolling out vaccination programmes for the COVID-19 virus. (SAT)
