The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health of Trinidad and Tobago have allocated more than 300,000 Pfizer vaccines for secondary school students over 12 years of age.
The Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) for use in children over 12 years of age.
FAQ and Information about the Pfizer Vaccine
Source: “¿A quién puede administrase la vacuna contra la COVID-19 de Pfizer-BioNTech?” 20 de abril de 2021- WHO and “The Pfizer BioNTech (BNT162b2) COVID-19 vaccine: What you need to know” 20 de abril de 2021- WHO
According to SAGE, Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 is safe and effective. However, there are population groups for whom vaccination is not recommended, either due to contraindications, lack of supplies, or lack of data. Currently these groups are made up of people with a history of severe allergies, the majority of pregnant women, international travelers who are not part of a priority group and those under 12 years of age.
Is this vaccine recommended for adolescents?
Evidence suggests that adolescents, particularly older adolescents, are as likely to transmit SARS-CoV-2 as adults. WHO recommends that countries should consider using the vaccine in children aged 12 to 15 only when high vaccine coverage with 2 doses has been achieved in the high priority groups as identified in the WHO Prioritization Roadmap.
Children 12-15 years of age with comorbidities that put them at significantly higher risk of serious COVID-19 disease, alongside other high-risk groups, may be offered vaccination.
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What is the recommended dosage?
12 days after the first dose, a protective effect begins to develop, but complete protection requires two doses that the WHO recommends to be administered between 21 and 28 days later. Further research is needed to learn the possible long-term protection of a single dose.
Is it safe?
WHO granted the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine EUL on 31 December 2020. WHO has thoroughly assessed the quality, safety, and efficacy of the vaccine and has recommended its use for persons above the age of 16.
The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety, a group of experts that provides independent and authoritative guidance to WHO on the topic of safe vaccine use, receives and assesses reports of suspected safety events of potentially international impact.
El Comité Asesor Mundial sobre Seguridad de las Vacunas, un grupo de expertos que proporciona orientación independiente y autorizada a la OMS sobre el tema del uso seguro de vacunas, recibe y evalúa informes de presuntos eventos de seguridad de posible impacto internacional.
How efficient is the vaccine?
The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19 has an efficacy of 95% against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Vaccines alone won’t prevent COVID-19
Safe and effective vaccines are going to represent a radical change, but in the near future we will have to continue wearing a mask, maintaining a safe distance, avoiding crowds and applying other sanitary measures. Being vaccinated does not mean that we can throw away precautionary measures and put ourselves and others in danger, especially since it is not yet clear to what extent vaccines can protect, not only against the disease, but also against infection and transmission.
Appointments for the Pfizer Vaccine
Living Water Community: Ministry for Migrants and Refugees will be supporting two Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination drives for children 12-18 years old on 21 August at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port of Spain (near to Living Water Community office) and 28 August 2021 at Saturday 28th August 2021 at Divali Nagar Site, Chaguanas (near to Price Smart).
Parents and Guardians are asked to book an appointment at
httpss://forms.gle/BRaWkM9GX6DCFyk89
Children must be accompanied by at least one parent/guardian. If the person accompanying the child is not a parent / guardian, they must bring parental authorization.
Make sure all information on the form is filled out correctly and without spelling mistakes.
Parents and children must bring one of the following IDs:
- Foreign driver’s license
- Foreign passport
- Foreign identification
- UNHCR asylum card or certificate
Vaccination Sites
NAPA, Port of Spain: August 21
The first vaccination day for migrant and refugee students will be held at NAPA on August 21.
Please note, registration for the NAPA site will take place at Living Water Community office on the corner of Gordon and Frederick St. Persons will then be directed to NAPA for their vaccines
Prevention measures against COVID-19 will be in effect at all times.
Translators will be present.
Divali Nagar, Chaguanas: August 28
The second vaccination day for migrant and refugee students will be held at NAPA on August 21.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
Prevention measures against COVID-19 will be in effect at all times.
Translators will be present.