Dr. Carissa F. Etienne – Director of PAHO: Get all your shots! (PAHO)

The importance of vaccines in saving lives will be highlighted by public health nurses when they mark the 20th Vaccination Week in the Americas from April 23 to 30, 2022.  

Each year, Barbados joins the Pan American Health Organization and other countries of the Region of the Americas in celebrating the annual Vaccination Week in the Americas. The slogan for this year is “Are You Fully Vaccinated? #GetAllYourShots #VWA20”.

Theevent provides an opportunity to build national awareness of the importance of maintaining vaccination programmes. The goal is to reach members of the population who have not yet received the full benefits of routine immunisations as well as those who are not fully vaccinated or boosted with COVID-19 vaccines.

In Barbados, a number of activities will be held to create awareness about the role of vaccines in preventing mortality or disability from some diseases.

The week will kick off on Saturday, April 23, with a National Vaccine Outreach at each polyclinic targetting children and adults for various vaccines. The polyclinics participating in the outreach on April 23, are

  • Branford Taitt Polyclinic, Black Rock, St. Michael – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Maurice Byer Polyclinic, Station Hill, St. Peter – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Randal Phillips Polyclinic, Oistins, Christ Church – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The outreach will be held again on Saturday, April 30 at the same polyclinics and times.

On Sunday, April 24, there will be a church service at the Church of the Nazarene, Bank Hall, St. Michael, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Minister of Health and Wellness, Ian Gooding-Edghill is expected to deliver remarks.

Open Days will be held at each polyclinic on various days from Monday, April 25 to Wednesday, April 27, where members of the public may access all vaccines.

Monday April 26

  • Branford Taitt Polyclinic – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex, Glebe Land, St. John – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Edgar Cochrane Polyclinic, Wildey, St. Michael – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Maurice Byer Polyclinic – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • Winston Scott Polyclinic, Jemmotts Lane, St. Michael – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 Tuesday April 27

  • Glebe Polyclinic, Glebe, St. George – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • St. Joseph Outpatient Clinic, Horse Hill, St. Joseph – 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
(Stock Photo)

Wednesday April 28

  • Randal Phillips Polyclinic, Oistins, Christ Church – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • St. Andrew Outpatient Clinic, Belleplaine, St. Andrew – 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Friday April 29 

  • Maurice Byer Polyclinic, Station Hill, St Peter – 9:00 a.m. to noon
  • St. Philip Polyclinic, Six Roads, St. Philip – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

On Friday, April 29, a virtual educational workshop will be held for public health, medical and nursing staff from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Topics to be discussed include:

  • The different types of COVID-19 vaccines – Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kimberley Phillips;
  • Cold Chain Management – Senior Health Sister, Mrs. Rosanette Cooke;
  • The Current Situation Globally, Regionally and Locally in Relation to Immunisations, Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Impact of the COVID 19 Pandemic – Senior Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Karen Broome;
  • Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Barbados over the past two years – An Epidemiological Perspective – Epidemiologist, Ms. Maria Ingram 
  • Calculating Vaccine Coverage Utilising the CAREC Graph – Senior Health Sister, Ms. Juleyette Serrano

Persons may also tune in to the Vital Signs Radio Programme on Starcom Network on Friday, April 22, at 6:15 p.m. and CBC TV’s Mornin’ Barbados on Monday, April 25, from 6:00 a.m. to hear more about the role of vaccines and planned activities for Vaccination Week in the Americas 2022.

Ministry of Health and Wellness

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