Vaccination Week Activities In Barbados Start April 21

Activities to mark the 21st Annual Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) will kick off in Barbados tomorrow, Friday, April 21, with a radio programme on Starcom Network that will focus on the history of the VWA and the planned activities for the Week.

The programme, to be aired on VOB 92.9 from 6:15 p.m., will be moderated by Infection Control Officer and Public Relations Officer of the Barbados Nurses Association, Alvin Hart. It will feature Health Sisters, Jennie Williams of the Edgar Cochrane Polyclinic and Heather Browne-Hewitt of the Maurice Byer Polyclinic.

The VWA, along with the 12th World Immunization Week will, however, be observed by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and across territories in the Americas, from  April 23 to 29, under the theme Get Up to Date: #EachVaccineCounts.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue its activities with a Family Health and Fun Day at the National Botanical Gardens, Waterford, St. Michael, on Saturday, April 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A community outreach event, it will feature free adult and childhood vaccines and other healthy-lifestyle activities for all patrons.  

The following day, Sunday, April 23, staff from the Ministry will join PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Dr. Amalia Del Riego Abreu, at a commemorative church service at the Hawthorn Memorial Methodist Church, Worthing, Christ Church.

It starts at 9:00 a.m. and will be attended by staff in the Ministry, including Permanent Secretary Wayne Marshall; Chief Nursing Officer, Annastacia Jordan, and Chief Public Health Nurse, Norma Bynoe.

There will also be several Polyclinic Open Days from Monday, April 24, to Wednesday, April 26, and again on Saturday, April 29.  Walk-ins are welcomed between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., and childhood or adult vaccines will be available.  Members of the public are invited to take advantage of this opportunity.

Participating polyclinics on April 29 will be Branford Taitt, Winston Scott, and Randal Phillips. Barbadians are urged to participate and show their support by attending the activities to mark Vaccination Week in the Americas 2023.

Author: Joy-Ann Gill

Publish: April 20, 2023