GREAT BAY,– The Preventative Health Department Section Youth Health Care (YHC) will be starting with a vaccination open house week on Monday October 5 to October 9. The vaccination campaign is not related to Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) virus or the seasonal flu vaccine.
The vaccination open house week is organized to promote a culture of prevention against vaccine-preventable diseases and it gives parents an opportunity during the one-week school break to bring in their children for vaccinations and updates.
The open house will take place at the offices of Youth Health Care in the Vineyard Building from 8.30am to 4.00pm.
The theme is, "Act of Love, Get on Board, Get Vaccinated."
YHC's aim is to promote general information and stimulate the participation of parents in the vaccination program to get more children on board as an act of love, in addition because of the change in the vaccination schedule that went into effect earlier this year.
All children between four and nine-years of age will now get their second Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (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 vaccinations schedule concern 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.
Immunization is a way of protecting children against serious disease. Once a person has been fully vaccinated, their bodies can fight those diseases if one comes into contact with them.
Vaccinations have proven to prevent outbreaks and the spread of contagious diseases and as such, every parent is urged to ensure that their child's vaccination is up to date.
The Island Government has its own vaccination program which is provided free of charge for all children on Dutch St. Maarten. A combination vaccine of MMR as well as other vaccines is offered.
Vaccinations are given starting with the first one when the child is two months of age and finalized at age nine when the last series are given unless for whatever reason a child needs a to catch up his/her immunizations.
Vaccines have been proven to be the key factor in preventing childhood diseases, disability, and death.
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, your pediatrician, the White & Yellow Cross Baby Clinic or YHC.
