In a 180 degree policy change, the Health Ministry will now use the remaining Covid-19 vaccines to administer to more of the population, instead of holding them as second shots for those who had already received their first dose.

The measure was announced by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley during a Covid-19 briefing held on Thursday.

There are some 38,000 doses available for administration. 

It nullifies a previous announcement by Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh on Wednesday, in which he signaled the phase two of the vaccination program had come to a close pending the arrival of more vaccines from the COVAX Facility. 

T&T’s next batch of COVID-19 vaccines from the COVAX Facilty are scheduled to come from Italy.

Dr. Rowley said he is unsure if Italian embargo on vaccines will affect our shipment.