Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, 02 May 2023 (PAHO) – “Vaccines are safe and save lives.”
This reminder came from the Hon. Dr. Terrance M. Drew, Prime Minister, and Minister of Health, during Vaccination Week in the Americas which was recognized from April 22 to 29, 2023.
In his address to the nation on April 22, Dr. Drew mentioned that St. Kitts and Nevis obtains its vaccines from PAHO; vaccines which meet internationally recommended quality, safety, and efficacy standards.
“Vaccines are safe and prevent vaccine preventable diseases”, the Minister of Health assured and explained why getting up to date with vaccination is critical.
“Some of us have never seen some of these vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) and some parents probably think there is no real harm for infection; hence, no need for urgency in keeping vaccine appointments or consenting to vaccinate our children. Polio has been eliminated from the Caribbean region since 1982. However, recently two unvaccinated individuals with no travel history presented to health facilities with paralysis of limbs and were tested and diagnosed with polio in New York and Peru.
Today, the Region of the Americas is facing new measles outbreaks after it was declared measles free in 2016. “Between 2020 and 2021, the vaccination coverage rates of measles, mumps and the rubella vaccine - MMR1 and MMR2 – have decreased in this region and several children are susceptible to measles. In 2022 in St. Kitts and Nevis, the MMR1 coverage rate was 95 percent and the MMR2 coverage rate was 93 percent.
“The aim of the public health team is to target the defaulters during this VWA (Vaccine Week of the Americas) campaign to increase the coverage rate to 95 percent and above. The measles and polio vaccines are essential for the protection of our children and loved ones.”
In addition to the Prime Minister and Minister of Health’s address, several activities were organized to mark the VWA 2023. These activities involved nurses, other health officials, as well as PAHO’s Country Program Specialist, Anneke Wilson.
An event titled Fitness Fete took place on April 26. The focus was to encourage the public to engage in fun workouts as a way of promoting health and wellness.
Also on April 26, nurses took part in a workshop on Effective Vaccine Communication facilitated by PAHO. The nurses were enlightened on the topics The status of Immunization Programs in the Americas; Factors influencing Vaccine Safety Perceptions and Negative Messages; Approaches to Vaccine Safety Communication and The Impact of Vaccine Negative Messages and Ways to Address the Messages.
Agriculture Open Day was an outdoor event; yet another event which promoted healthy living.
A public education video on the importance of being vaccinated was aired during the week, featuring a local physician - Dr. Kalieahh Cannonier.
Also, social media posts on the importance of being vaccinated against vaccine preventable diseases were publicized.
