T&T: Thousands gather to get COVID vaccine outside health centres, police called to handle

Thousands of people gathered to get the coronavirus vaccine in Trinidad and Tobago. To handle the massive crowd, police officers in several divisions had to disperse people who had assembled outside Health Centres on Wednesday morning to receive the Covid-19 vaccines. Police officials noted that people started gathering outside health centres at very early hours. The crowd started to line up at 6 am to receive their vaccine as the roll-out was being done as first-come, first-serve. By 9 am, videos and photographs revealed crowds of persons waiting in long lines with absolutely no social distancing. There were hundreds of persons in lines in areas such as Diego Martin, Carenage, Chaguanas, Ste Madeline, La Horquetta, and Arima.

As soon as Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith, became aware of the situation, he gave instructions that officers of the TTPS take charge of the situation in the various Divisions and if it became necessary, to shut down these sites for the day.

Police officers swung into action and dispersed the large crowds in various areas. Commissioner Griffith stated he will be meeting with Health officials today to ensure that a better system is put in place for the vaccine rollout in the future.