Parents and guardians called upon to vaccinate their family and protect their community
Youth Health Care (YHC), a section of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, says its vaccination outreach for the residents of Cole Bay and Cay Bay for Tuesday, May 17 is an opportunity for children in their neighborhoods to get vaccinated.
The Outreach will take place at the Charles L. Bell Primary School and YHC is encouraging parents and guardians to come out in strong numbers and vaccinate the younger members in their family which will ensure a protected community from Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and a host of other child related diseases that are preventable.
The outreach is being organized as part of the annual Vaccination Week of the Americas under the theme, "Vaccinate your Family, Protect Your Community."
Parents and guardians are reminded that with the change in the vaccination schedule, the second MMR is now given at four-years of age.
All children between four and nine-years of age will now get their second MMR vaccine.
The DTPolio vaccination will continue to be given when the child is nine-years of age.
Other changes in the vaccination schedule apply to children between two and 12 months of age.
Parents are reminded to make sure that their children between the ages of 0-18 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 in the target age group who are not up to date.
Immunization is a way of protecting children against serious vaccine preventable diseases and parents and guardians are encouraged to participate in the outreach. Once a person has been fully vaccinated, their bodies can fight those diseases if one comes into contact with them.
Parents should bring along with them their child’s vaccination booklet/card. If you are not sure of the vaccination status of your child, you should contact your general practitioner, pediatrician, or YHC for children up through 17 years of age.
YHC can also be contacted if you want to verify your own vaccination status. You can call 542-3003 or 542-2078.