Schoolchildren in north Trinidad turned out in the hundreds for their first shot of the Pfizer covid19 vaccine.

Despite heavy rain and street flooding, the children braved the weather with their parents on Wednesday morning to visit one of the 14 sites designated for this phase of the national vaccination programme.

Those aged 12-18 are eligible to take the Pfizer vaccine. The drive began on Monday.

[caption id="attachment_908097" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Twin sisters Emily, left, and Mary Mc Donald display their vaccination cards after receiving theor first dose at the College of Science Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT) on Dere Street, Port of Spain. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]

At the vaccination site at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima, Minister in the Ministry of Education Lisa Morris-Julian came to support two of her children as they took the shot. She told the media she didn’t have to convince them or offer any incentives for them to get the vaccine.

“I’m proud that their decision wasn’t based on videos on WhatsApp or social media. They did their research from the World Health Organization and the Chief Medical Officer (Roshan Parasram). These are the sources they trusted to get their info from.

“I’m really proud, because soon my entire family, excluding the toddler, would be vaccinated.

"That is the way forward. We want to return to normal, but we understand there will be a new normal.

She called on parents to do what is best for their children.

[caption id="attachment_908098" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy Shante Moore, left, and Chief Executive Officer of the America Chamber of Commerce T&T (AMCHAMTT) Nirad Tewarie hold the selfie frame for Chai'a Findlay after she received her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale[/caption]

“Speak to your children. You’ll be surprised, they are very much aware of what’s going on.

"I’m happy the Prime Minister put our children first for the Pfizer vaccine and I look forward to seeing more parents coming out with their children.”

She said there was a good response by young people and she expects the numbers would grow during this week.

“I’m proud of young people. Often people underestimate young people and their common sense and what is happening today, if it is not proof that young people are very much aware, then I don’t know what is. Every time I see an anti-vax statement, it’s not coming from a young person, and hopefully, we'll get young people to get their parents and grandparents on board.”

She said the weather was children's biggest challenge reported to the ministry.

[caption id="attachment_908099" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Chai'a Findlay, from left, Aaron Duncan, Luke Nicholas-Holder and Celina Sheppard display their vaccination cards after receiving the Pfizer vaccine at the Northern Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain. Photo by Ayanna K

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