PM, PAHO, Chinese Embassy condemn Trinidad news report on Sinopharm

The Chinese Embassy, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the St Augustine Medical Laboratory (STAML), have all condemned an Express newspaper article that challenged the efficacy of the Sinopharm vaccine.

The article, published in the newspaper’s Sunday edition, implied the Sinopharm COVID19 vaccine is ineffective at generating immunity against the disease.

Four titer antibody tests done by STAML were used as part of a report which sought to compare antibody levels between people vaccinated with Sinopharm and AstraZeneca. The report has since garnered heavy criticism.

Dr Rowley last evening described the report as the “worst piece of irresponsible journalism” he’s ever seen and even called for someone to be fired. “In a pandemic, where thousands of doctors and many international agencies and hundreds of thousands of newspapers and other media entities are present and reporting, the Express has made the discovery as published to undermine a vaccine which might very well be a victim of geopolitics,” he said.

“Where is the science here? Who are the people responsible for this data set being published in this way? It’s not only embarrassing it is downright destructive and worrisome. Who will be fired here? To attempt to undermine a nation’s vaccination program in a pandemic is nothing short of criminal!”

PAHO also issued a release last evening reassuring that all World Health Organisation (WHO) Emergency Use Licensed (EUL) vaccines are safe and effective.

“PAHO/WHO reassures the public that all EUL-approved vaccines are proven to be effective in preventing severe disease, hospitalisation and death. Infection can be prevented through booster doses in the case of Sinopharm AND the rigorous application of the mitigation measures,” she said.