There were significantly smaller crowds at vaccination sites in north Trinidad on Thursday, after the the national vaccination programme resumed on Wednesday.

Thursday saw the first attempt at using a new system for vaccinations.

But this too had its drawbacks, as doses were very limited.

[caption id="attachment_894553" align="alignnone" width="748"] Lenora Chikeefah was one of the lucky ones to get her covid19 vaccine shot at the San Juan Health Centre, her surname starts with C and she got number 44 of the 50 vaccines allotted to this centre. -Photo by Sureash Cholai [/caption]

Last week the Ministry of Health announced that people 60 and above and others with non-communicable diseases were eligible for the current round of vaccinations. The ministry also eliminated the appointment-only system and introduced a first-come-first-served method starting this week.

Many people thought any adult was eligible.

[caption id="attachment_894552" align="alignnone" width="1024"] People outside the St Joseph Enhanced Health Centre who came to get the covid19 vaccine were told the allotted number of covid19 vaccine shots at the health centre finished early in the morning. - Photo by Sureash Cholai[/caption]

So after reports of large clusters and uncontrollable crowds of people hoping to get their first jab of the Sinopharm vaccine on the first day, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh quickly altered the system, using the first letters of recipients' surnames.

On Thursday only those with surnames starting with A-E were accommodated.

While there were no lines or overcrowding, many complained about arriving as early as 5 am but still being turned away, as they were surprised to hear vaccines for only 50 people were available.

When Newsday visited the Barataria, La Horquetta and St Joseph health centres, people were tricking in, unaware of the 50-vaccine limit.

Less than two minutes later they were seen leaving, disappointed.

[caption id="attachment_894551" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Persons outside the St Joseph Enhanced Health Centre who came to get the covid19 vaccine were told the vaccine shots finished early in the morning. - Photo by Sureash Cholai[/caption]

One pensioner, who only wanted to be named Nigel, told Newsday at the St Joseph health centre,

“I was here since 5.20 am. You know how hard it is to hire a car from Maracas/St Joseph to come here just to be turned away?

“I am 70. This is madness with this 50-people system here,” he added.

When asked why he was still at the centre two hours later, he said, “I still hold on to see if I get through…This system could work, but they must have more vaccine.”

Nigel said he is concerned that he will go unvaccinated for another week during the continued spike in covid19 cases and deaths.

“We don’t know what could have between now and when they tell me to come back next week. All kind of 15-20 people dying (daily). I’m 70, and this is madness.”

Another man said he just passed in to see if the crowds were smaller on Thursday, to try his h