Vaccine alert

Nadisha Hunter, Gleaner Writer

The recent civil unrest across the Corporate Area, which caused the temporary closure of some health centres and prevented clients from accessing clinics which were open, has resulted in several infants missing out on their vaccines.

"Our reports suggest that, for the month of May, approximately 20 per cent of infants due vaccines missed their appointments," said Dr Heather Reid-Jones, regional technical director of the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA).

"I am pleading with parents and guardians, particularly those with children under two years old, to bring them to any health centre for immunisation," she added.

Reid-Jones also advised that individuals who had relocated could contact their respective parish health departments for advice at the health centre nearest to them.

She said that while the SERHA was making efforts to locate these infants, parents should recognise that they have a responsibility to ensure that their children are protected from disease.

"Parents not only have a moral obligation to ensure their children are immunised against (the specified) diseases, but also a legal obligation, as required by the Immunisation Regulations under Section 14 of the Public Health Act," she explained.

Immunisation is offered free of charge in the public-health service in accordance with the Ministry of Health's schedule of vaccines.

- nadisha.hunter@gleanerjm.com

All Jamaican children must be protected against the following vaccine-preventable diseases.

1. Tuberculosis
2. Diphtheria
3. Pertussis (whooping
4. cough)
5. Tetanus (lockjaw)
6. Hepatitis B
7. Haemophilus Influenza
8. Type B
9. Poliomyelitis
10. Measles
11. Mumps
12. Rubella