Deyalsingh warns citizens: Take your health seriously

“Lets be proactive this coming year, the influenza vaccines are available for free at all Health centres nationwide.

We are making it easy for everyone to access and I want to emphasize on the importance of the vaccine and call on citizens who may be most at-risk to contracting influenza, the pregnant women, the hypertensives, the diabetics, the elderly, to make it their responsibility to get this vaccine and to urge your loved ones to do the same.

Don’t wait to hear in the media that one person or two persons has already died from a virus to take interest.” Newsday spoke to the Minister following his address, who expressed optimism that the drive would yield positive results adding that the success of the campaign hinges upon the willingness of the public to become vaccinated. “For this year alone we’ve distributed approximately 20,000 vaccinations, this is more than twice the amount of vaccinations that were given last year.

We are committed to ensuring that all persons are safe and healthy, however it is the responsibility of the public to access the vaccine and take the necessary precautions against infection.” General Manager of the Primary Health Centre, Dr Peter Baggan, explained that the purpose of the vaccine was to not only minimise the aggressiveness of local influenza virus, but also to protect against foreign viruses, which may be imported from North America.

“During the Christmas and Carnival seasons especially where persons from abroad come to Trinidad, there is a lot of influx of viral diseases and infections...”