Deyalsingh: No flu deaths in TT

Noting the flu season runs from October to May, Deyalsingh opined, “So we are becoming the victims of our own success because the public is no longer rushing to get vaccinated.” However stressing that the period between Christmas and Carnival is the best time to get vaccinated, Deyalsingh said, “We have brought in 100,000 doses of vaccine and we are now vaccinating anyone.”

Saying vaccines were previously limited to special groups such as women and children, the minister reiterated that this is no longer the case. He encouraged all citizens to go to any of the 33 public health centres in the country on Tuesdays and Thursdays to get vaccinated free of charge rather than paying between $300 and $500 to get the same vaccination at a private medical centre.

Indicating that HIV/Aids is another issue which the ministry focuses heavily on during the Carnival period, Deyalsingh said Cabinet approved a sum of $7.7 million for the acquisition of software to track and analyse data regarding the treatment of persons with HIV/ Aids in TT. He also said Cabinet approved a sum of $9 million to acquire two viral loading machines which will be placed at the Medical Research Foundation at the Queens Park Savannah.