Health Week Message
About the article
This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from April 1995.
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Since the Expanded Programme on Immunisation. sation was launched in 1977 in the English speaking Caribbean, there has been continuous reduction the number of cases of those diseases for which immunisations are given. Poliomyelitis was last reported in the Caribbean region in 1982. Diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus have also declined significantly.
In the Cayman Islands, our vaccine coverage's are high and as a result there is a low level occurrence of diseases preventable by vaccination. We do not have polio, diphtheria, whooping cough and measles. Occasionally a few cases of rubella and mumps are reported.
However, the Ministry realises that complacency can lead to disaster, hence we are committed to maintain the high level of coverage.
It is every parent's responsibility to ensure their child is fully immunised. Therefore the Ministry recognises the importance of public information campaigns to raise awareness amongst parents of the need to ensure that their children are fully immunised.
The World Health Organisation has designated Friday 7 April as World Health Day with the theme "Target 2000 - A World Without Polio'. As a result Cayman Islands Health Week, Monday 3 April to Friday 7 April, has been organised to coincide with this day.
Joining forces with the Public Health Department are Government Information Services, the local Rotary clubs and all local media to raise public awareness of childhood immunisations.
All parents are urged to contact the Public Health section at George Town Hospital, Faith Hospital in Cayman Brac or their District Health Centre to see that their children are fully immunised. This service is offered free of charge to all resident children.
Our children are our future. Government is committed to the introduction of any new vaccine the World Health Organization recommends. Let us all work together to protect the health of our children in the Cayman Islands.
