The Preventive Health Department Section Youth Health Care (YHC) is encouraging parents to come to the office on Monday and Tuesday February 15 and 16 during the mid-term school break to check if their child is up to date with their vaccinations. All children have to be properly immunized.
All parents/guardians should take some time and visit YHC especially parents who have not received a notice from their school to have their child vaccinated.
YHC has an on-going campaign to promote a culture of prevention against vaccine-preventable diseases and the mid-term school break gives parents an opportunity to bring in their children for vaccinations and updates.
Persons can visit the offices of Youth Health Care in the Vineyard Building from 8.30am to 4.30pm.
YHC’s aim is to promote general information on the vaccination program to the reasons why we vaccinate and stimulate the participation of parents in the vaccination program. The ultimate aim is to increase the vaccination coverage by getting more children on board as an act of love. In addition parents can also use the opportunity to address their concerns on the change of the vaccination schedule that was approved and implemented in 2009.
All children between four and nine-years of age will now get their second Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine at four years of age.
The DTPolio vaccination will continue to be given when the child is nine-years of age.
Other changes in the vaccinations schedule concern children between two and 12 months of age.
Parents are reminded to make sure that their children between the ages of 0-17 are up to date with their vaccinations which are necessary in order to reduce the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.
DTP, MMR and catch-up Hepatitis B vaccines will be given to children who may need any of those vaccines.
Immunization is a way of protecting children against serious vaccine preventable diseases. Once a person has been fully vaccinated, their bodies can fight those diseases if one comes into contact with them.
Vaccinations have proven to prevent outbreaks and the spread of contagious diseases and as such every parent is urged to ensure that their child’s vaccination is up to date.
The Island Government has its own vaccination program which is provided free of charge for all children on Dutch St. Maarten. A combination vaccine of MMR as well as other vaccines is offered.
Vaccinations are given starting with the first one when the child is two months of age and finalized at age nine when the last series are given unless for whatever reason a child needs to catch up on his/her immunizations.
Vaccines have been proven to be the key factor in preventing childhood diseases, disability and death.
Parents should bring along with them their child’s vaccination booklet/card. If you are not sure of the status of your child, you should contact either your general practitioner, your paediatrician, YHC or the White & Yellow Cross Baby Clinic for children up to four years of age. Parents who are unable to make it can send another 18+ adult with their child along with the signed consent form.