Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh led by example on Tuesday, receiving his first dose of the Astra-Zeneca Covid-19 vaccine at the St. Joseph Health Centre. 

This as the Health Ministry officially began its vaccination drive, exactly one week after receiving 33,600 doses from the Covax facility.

He was administered the dose at around 2:30pm. 

After taking the jab live on television, the Minister described the process as a success.

“I am pleasantly surprised at how things have gone and I want to thank everyone at the Ministry of Health and all the RHAs. Barring one or two hiccups, things have gone remarkably well,” he reported.

He further revealed that a total of 727 people had been vaccinated by 2pm on Tuesday.

“As of 2pm…the current figures are these: North Central RHA, 234; North West RHA, 63; South West RHA; 274; ERHA, 72, and TRHA 84. That gives you a total of 727. Some sites are going to as late as 6pm today so it is quite likely we will not only meet the target of 1,000, we may also beat it on the first day,” he said. 

The Health Ministry originally set a target of 1,000 doses to be administered per day, which would vaccinate some 33,000 over a two and a half week period.

The vaccination process also kicked off in Tobago, with Health Secretary of the THA, Tracy Davidson Celestine taking her dose.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, who was due to take the vaccine in Tobago, could no longer do so after he tested positive for the virus on Monday evening. 

According to the advice from the World Health Organization, persons who contract the virus should wait at least 6 months after recovery to receive the dose.