Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine did not enter T&T: CP Gary Griffith

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago: Trinidad and Tobago's Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith, refused the claims made by some business representatives that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine entered the country and was being distributed to citizens.

Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith stated that investigations were immediately initiated into the matter, and the person who spread the news was questioned.

Police officials stated that the person who started the rumours also claimed that he passed on information to the Director of Foods and Drug Division. When the Director was contacted, he confirmed that it was solely rumoured statements, with the initial businessman stating "that he heard so".

Mc Donald Jacob-Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations and Intelligence), reached the businessman individually, who was incapable of providing any pieces of evidence, data, documentation, or witness of verifying that his comment had any merit.

A senior administrator in the alleged medical facility said he had no knowledge of the matter. The commissioner of police also reminded the public to be mindful and have a degree of responsibility when public comments are made and not to believe the rumours, any type of comments, gossip related to COVID-19, or vaccine. COVID-19 cases across Trinidad and Tobago are rapidly growing, with hundreds testing positive daily. Some hospitals are their 70% of occupancy, with many people home-quarantined. The government have also imposed a lockdown and state of emergency, only people with essential duties are allowed to go out and perform their duties.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley stated that the state of emergency will be revoked once the cases start to decline. He also spoke to the vice-president of the United States Kamala Harris regarding COVID-19 vaccines. VP assured that the US would assist the Caribbean and Latin America in procuring COVID-19 vaccines as the country is giving away 500M surplus vaccines to other countries.