Frequently Asked Questions

Getting immunized is one of the safest ways for you to protect your health and that of your family. Vaccines prevent diseases by reducing the risk of getting and spreading diseases that could seriously impact your health.

Contrary to popular belief, vaccine preventable diseases (such as polio, diphtheria, measles, etc.) are still prevalent in many countries throughout the world. These diseases are mainly controlled in the international arena due to the availability of vaccines, as well as, through a concept called herd immunity, whereby the majority of persons in a community have developed protective antibodies against infections. However, these diseases can still pose a considerable threat to high risk populations, such as newborns, infants, people with pre-existing conditions and the elderly. Therefore, the best defense for vulnerable groups is immunization.

Vaccines can prevent many diseases, and save millions of lives each year. Vaccine-preventable diseases include:

Everyone should make sure they are up to date on their vaccines, to prevent infectious diseases from quickly spreading.

The vaccines you need are determined by age and other factors including, but not limited to, travel, school requirements, medical conditions or during unexpected events (such as COVID-19 pandemic). The immunization schedule gives more details on the age requirements for vaccination.

From the moment babies are born, they are exposed to diseases and organisms that are not easy to see, and because their immune system is not fully developed, vaccines are needed to help them boost their defense against these diseases. 

In Trinidad and Tobago, babies receive protection against 7 life-threatening diseases by the age one year: Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib), Polio and Pneumococcal diseases such as meningitis. Generally, children receive Hepatitis B at birth, followed by one pentavalent vaccine, which protects against 5 diseases (DPT/Hep B/Hib), in three doses, one at 2 months, 4 months and 6 months. This combination is safe and it reduces the number of pricks a baby receives. Children are also given the Pneumococcal vaccine at these visits. 

It is common for infants to experience pain, swelling and redness at the injection site, as well as fever, after immunization. These discomforts are mostly mild and usually last one to two days. However, should your infant experience a severe reaction, you should seek consultation with the health care provider who administered the vaccine or any Accident and Emergency Department.

Vaccines are repeatedly tested before being approved, and continue to be monitored for adverse reactions after their implementation. Though designed to protect from diseases, vaccines are not always 100% risk-free. However, the dangers of vaccine-preventable diseases are much greater than any risk associated with the vaccines, and for this reason vaccines remain one of the surest ways to keep you healthy. 

The history of vaccinations in curbing the effects of very deadly and infectious diseases are well established. Click here to read more on the history on vaccination, courtesy the World Health Organization.

Just as any medical product, vaccines, though designed to protect from disease, can cause side effects.  Most people who are administered vaccines experience no side effects. However, like any medication, we may experience side effects after getting vaccinated. These side effects are mostly mild and usually last one to two days.

The most common side effects are fever and redness, swelling, and tenderness around the area where the needle has pierced the skin. Serious side effects are rare; however, if you experience a severe allergic reaction, call the ambulance at 8-1-1 or go to the nearest health facility or hospital.

When you or your family member is administered a vaccine, your healthcare provider may answer questions and provide information on the most frequent side effects. Additionally, you may consult this section to find some information on documented side effects.

It is recommended that all untoward health events that occur after vaccination or immunization should be reported, especially if the affected person or his/her family find it necessary to consult health services.  This can be reported to the healthcare provider who administered the vaccine or any Accident and Emergency Department.

The Pan American Health Organization advises that pregnant women can get vaccinated against several vaccine-preventable diseases, such as influenza, tetanus, pertussis, and hepatitis B. In fact, it is extremely important that they do so to protect themselves and their babies from unnecessary disease and complications.

It is also important to note that some vaccines, such as the MMR and chickenpox vaccine, should not be given to pregnant women, but could be given before or after pregnancy.  Also, in the absence of well-controlled studies in pregnant women, vaccination with HPV vaccine is not recommended in pregnancy as a precautionary measure.

Pregnant women are encouraged to ask their healthcare providers at their prenatal checkups about what vaccines they need and when.

Persons with a weakened immune system (cancer patients on chemotherapy, persons with organ transplants) are more susceptible to infectious diseases than the general public. For this reason, vaccination is strongly recommended for immunocompromised persons to prevent illnesses that are vaccine-preventable.  Immunocompromised persons are encouraged to ask their healthcare providers about what vaccines they need and when.

Vaccinations are done by appointment at all Health Centres on days scheduled for immunization. Health Centres usually schedule one or two days per week for immunizations. Please contact a health centre near you to find out their immunization schedule. You may also be vaccinated by private medical practitioners.

When you are vaccinated you are given an immunization card, also known as the Vaccination Card or Health Passport. Some vaccines may require boosters and therefore be updated at the intervals indicated by your healthcare provider.  Your vaccination card will be updated as you receive additional vaccines. 

The immunization card is an extremely important document and should be treated with utmost care.  Always walk with your child’s immunization card once visiting a doctor or any public health facility for medical attention.

Please note that general hospitals only administer vaccines for high risk patients or for emergency cases as required. You should not visit a hospital for routine vaccinations.

Please see our Map of Health Centres where you can get immunized.

You may be required to provide identification when you visit the Health Centre (passport, I.D. card, or driver’s permit). It is also highly recommended to walk with your existing immunization card in order to ascertain what vaccines are required and for it to be updated as necessary.

International Vaccination Cards are known as International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis. They are recommended for persons traveling to any country that requires proof of vaccination for infectious diseases such as Yellow Fever or COVID-19. They are issued at the County Medical Offices of Health (CMOHs). More information on Immunization cards are available at https://health.gov.tt/vaccination-cards-general-information.