Childhood Immunisation Focus Of Vaccination Week

Reinforcing the confidence Barbadians have long placed in the value of routine childhood immunisation will be the primary objective when the Ministry of Health and Wellness observes Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA), this month.

Barbados will join the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and territories in the Americas, along with other partners, to celebrate the 21st annual VWA, and the 12th World Immunization Week (WIW) from April 23 to 29.

The theme for the week will be “Get Up to Date: #EachVaccineCounts”, and Barbados will commence celebrations from Friday, April 21, with a lineup of engaging public events.

These annual events are celebrated in the last week of April in an effort to educate the public about the necessity of vaccines and highlight the collective action needed to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease.

The Ministry’s organising committee emphasises that the goal for this year’s VWA is to accelerate the achievement of specific objectives, including reducing child mortality, morbidity, and disability associated with vaccine-preventable diseases; re-establishing the targeted 95 per cent vaccine coverage in children under five years old, and reassuring the population of the efficacy, safety, and benefits of vaccines and immunisation.

“Our goal this year is to reach and sensitise members of the population to the benefits of routine immunisation and return vaccination rates to pre-pandemic levels of 95 per cent or higher. We will redouble efforts to reach those who have missed their vaccines, re-emphasise the benefits of vaccines to individuals throughout the life cycle, as well as to rebuild trust and confidence in vaccines, which have been subjected to misinformation,” stated Chairperson of the Organising Committee, Juleyette Serrano.

To participate and show their support, Barbadians are urged to save the dates and come out in their numbers to support the activities.

Major public events for Vaccination Week in the Americas will include the Family Health and Fun Day at the National Botanical Gardens on Saturday, April 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This exciting community outreach event will feature free adult and childhood vaccines and other healthy-lifestyle activities for everyone.  

A commemorative church service will also be held from 9:00 a.m. at the Hawthorn Memorial Methodist Church, Worthing, Christ Church, on Sunday, April 23.

The public is also invited to take advantage of several Polyclinic Open Days from Monday, April 24, to Wednesday, April 26, and again on Saturday, April 29.  Walk-ins are welcomed between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and childhood or adult vaccines will be available. Participating polyclinics on April 29 include Branford Taitt, Winston Scott, and Randal Phillips.

Ministry of Health and Wellness

Author: Government of Barbados

Publish: April 13, 2023