The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) has issued an alert indicating that since October 2008, an increase in the circulation of the jungle yellow fever (JYF) virus has been observed in some countries in the region of the Americas.
This includes Trinidad and Tobago, in the Caribbean. Two cases have been confirmed in monkeys, in southern and south-eastern Trinidad. However, no cases in humans have been reported.
Members of the public who are planning to travel to Trinidad and Tobago and intend to visit forest or wooded areas are advised to get a yellow fever vaccination prior to travelling, as a precautionary measure.
Travellers are urged to call the Winston Scott Polyclinic at 436-3800, extension 3205 or 3265, advisably two weeks prior to their date of departure to book an appointment for the vaccine. Persons travelling on non-government business will be charged a fee of $25 for this vaccine, while fees will be waived for those travelling on government business.
Individuals receiving the vaccination will be issued with a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate.
A Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is valid only if the yellow fever vaccine used has been approved by the WHO and if the Vaccine Centre has been approved by the National Health Authority (Ministry of Health) for the area in which the centre is located and so recorded by the WHO.
The Winston Scott Polyclinic is the only approved centre for yellow fever vaccination in Barbados. The yellow fever vaccine is valid for a period of ten years.