kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
While there was no rush to get the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at City Gate, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, those taking the jab say they were won over by the one-shot and done procedure.
While several of those who took the vaccine produced by Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies were worried about side effects, they reported feeling well after the shot.
“After taking the shot, I feel normal. I have no problem,” Andrew Melville told Guardian Media as Ministry of Health personnel monitored him at the Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) headquarters.
Melville said he made up his mind to go to City Gate for the vaccine because he did not want to go through the procedure of returning for another shot.
“I came with the intention to get the vaccine because they said that they would be here. I did not want to have to keep going to the other facilities to have to line up. So that is what made me come here this morning. It was smooth, and it was easy. I got through, so I am good,” Melville said.
The initiative also provided an opportunity for those who were undecided.
Security officer Nateesha Lewis was passing through City Gate when she saw vaccinations taking place. Lewis said she asked a few questions about the side effects and doses. She decided to take the vaccine after learning that she would not have to return for another if she took the shot yesterday.
“I only hear people about the COVID and about taking the vaccine; you get side effects and this and that. But I say, let me try it and see because people’s bodies are different to others. I say let me go and try it and see because right now it is real people getting the COVID and dying,” Lewis said.
Kendall Hood said he heard about the initiative, and because it was just one shot, he went down to City Gate. Hood said the process was simple, and he felt good after getting the shot.
Mario Sanchez receives the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine from nurse Idy Thompson at City Gate, South Quay, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.
ANISTO ALVES
PTSC general manager Hans Schulz told Guardian Media that the Ministry of Health approached the Corporation, asking if City Gate would be a natural space for people which would allow for vaccination. Schulz said PTSC prepared the area and worked with the ministry to execute the event.
“Thus far, it seems to be going well, and we look forward to many future efforts with the ministry in this regard. The Ministry of Health will be the guiding force in that, and again, we are here to assist. In the past, we have assisted with the transportation of people to vaccination areas and even personnel within the North Central Regional Health Authority. I expect that in moving forward, the PTSC will continue to work with the Ministry of Health personnel as part of that national vaccination drive,” Schulz said.
On August 20, this country received 108,000 doses of the World Health Organization (WHO)-approved COVID-19 vaccine via the African Medical Supplies Platform.
On September 2, WHO advised that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was safe and effective in people with known medical conditions associated with an increased risk of severe disease. Conditions include hypertension, chronic lung disease, significant cardiac disease, obesity, and diabetes.
Persons living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease. WHO said this group was included in clinical trials, and no safety concerns were noted.
It is recommended that known HIV-positive vaccine recipients be provided with information and counselling before vaccination.
WHO says that 28 days after inoculation, the vaccine was found to have an efficacy of 85.4 per cent against severe disease and 93.1 per cent against hospitalisation.