The Minister of Health has revealed that additional primary doses of COVID-19 vaccines will be administered to certain vulnerable groups here in Trinidad and Tobago, starting next week.
The MOH today reiterated that it is not a ‘booster’ shot, but a third shot for persons who have already been full vaccinated.
Persons to receive the third shot of the Sinopharm vaccine are those ages 60 years and over and those who are moderately or severely immunocompromised (those with active cancers, transplant recipients, those with an immunodeficiency, persons with HIV or persons on immunosuppressives.
Persons can access this third Sinopharm shot, three to six months after receiving their second dose.
Regarding AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, persons who have been fully vaccinated with these brands and are moderately to severely immunocompromised can access their third shot one to three months after.
The Minister says the WHO recommends that the additional vaccine dose should be the same vaccine product used in the first instance.
However, the Chief Medical Officer says there is a WHO-approved combination of Pfizer doses as third shots to persons fully vaccinated with AstraZeneca, and this will only be done if the AZ vaccine is in a short supply here in T&T.
Immunocompromised persons must bring in a referral letter from their attending physician to access the third shot if they are being treated for their ailment in the private sector.
However, similar persons who are being treated in the public healthcare system will not need a referral letter.
Minister Terrence Deyalsingh says the Sinopharm recipients who are over 60 years will be called by the Regional Health Authorities to make an appointment to receive their third dose.
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