Medical officers in all district health facilities and hospitals have been told to give the influenza vaccine to the general public.
Health Minister Terrance Deyalsingh said the vaccine was no longer being restricted to at-risk people in an effort to stem the spread of the virus.
The Ministry launched a public outreach yesterday at the Tunapuna Market.
A mobile unit was set up at that location so that vendors and residents could get the vaccine.
Deyalsingh, who was joined at the launch by chairman of the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation Paul Leacock, said: “During the last flu season we had eight deaths. This time we have had none and I want to keep it that way.”
When the immunisation campaign was first launched last October, the vaccine was only available at-risk people, including health workers, expectant mothers, children aged six months to two years, smokers and the elderly.
Explaining the decision to start in a market, Deyalsingh said: “We are coming out to the people at a market like this where they are in close proximity, exchanging money, rubbing shoulders with each other, coughing and sneezing. It is an ideal environment for the spread of this dangerous flu. By coming out to markets, the Ministry is proving to the people we can come to you, meet and vaccinate you.”
The Minister said the vaccination could mean the difference between being hospitalised or dying. He said he was disappointed that his parliamentary colleagues had not taken advantage of the opportunity for free vaccinations at last Friday’s parliamentary session.
However, he was heartened at the “decent” response from members of the public who had been visiting health centres to be vaccinated.
The Health Ministry acquired 100,000 influenza vaccines last October, the most to ever be ordered in a single batch, at a cost of US$500,000.
Leacock said the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation, which is the most heavily populated region in the country, was an ideal place to start the campaign.