Influenza vaccinations have run low in some health centres as public demand grows with the threat of the deadly H1N1 virus.
At the Pleasantville Health Centre, scores of people were turned away as supplies ran low. Only 162 people received vaccinations at the Penal Health Centre while vaccinations at Marabella and Roy Joseph in San Fernando also ran out.
At the Susamachar Presbyterian Church, hundreds more came to get vaccinated. District Medical Officer Dr Clement Ragobar said only 50 vaccinations were available at the church but he said he planned to request more vaccinations next week. Ragobar said many people in the
church were elderly and could not go to the health centre to have the vaccinations done.
“We are advising people to go to their district health centres and get vaccinated,” Ragobar said.
Rev Kendrick Sooknarine said many people were concerned about the spread of swine flu especially as Carnival was drawing closer.
Several people who were interviewed said they were unable to get vaccinations at the public health centres. One woman said she was turned away from the Pleasatville, Roy Joseph, Marabella and La Romaine health centres when he sought vaccination yesterday
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said there were over 75,000 vaccinations available.