The vaccination outreach program of Youth Health Care (YHC) whose offices are located at the Vineyard Office Park, was a success last week Monday and Tuesday during the mid-term school break.
YHC administered 39 vaccinations (23 Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR), 16 DTPolio) to the age group of four through 17-years of age. Some of the children are still in day care while others aren’t going to school.
Persons came to the YHC office to update their child’s vaccination cards/records who were vaccinated in school or to verify whether their child was up to date.
Appointments have also been made with some parents/guardians for follow-up vaccinations for Hepatitis B and DTPolio, according to Mayra Martina from YHC.
Martina added that, parents and guardians are encouraged to visit the YHC during office hours every day in the afternoons or during school breaks to keep track of the status of their child’s vaccination schedule.
Mayra Martina from YHC would like to thank all parents and guardians who made an effort to visit the YHC’s office to update their child(ren’s) vaccination records or to get their vaccinations.
"According to the World Health Organization, the state of the world’s vaccines and immunization reports that more infants are being immunized today than ever before against life-threatening diseases – a record 106 million in 2008. Vaccines are a tool to control disease in all countries.
"I call on parents/guardians to check your child’s vaccination status to make sure they are up to date," Commissioner of Health Richardson told the Government Information Service (GIS).
YHC has changed its vaccination schedule and all children between four and nine-years of age will now get their second 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 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 0-17 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 are not up to date.
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.
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, paediatrician, YHC or the White & Yellow Cross Baby Clinic for children up to four years of age.