Vaccination Week In The Americas April 26 – May 3

Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) 2025 will be held from April 26 to May 3, under the theme Your Decision Makes a Difference. Immunisation for All.

This year marks the 23rd anniversary of VWA, and it will be celebrated with several activities to reinforce the role of immunisation in saving lives.

The week will begin with a church service at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, at the Grace Communion Church, at the St. George Secondary School, Constant, St. George.

Tuesday, April 29, and Wednesday, April 30, have been designated Polyclinic Open Days. As such, immunisations and other services will be available to members of the public on a walk-in basis.

On April 29, the Frederick Miller, Eunice Gibson, Winston Scott, and St. Philip Polyclinics will have their open day.  On  April 30, the public may visit Brandford Taitt Polyclinic, Maurice Byer Polyclinic, David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex, Edgar Cochrane Polyclinic, and Randal Phillips Polyclinic. All open days will run from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

A half-day Health Educational Workshop fornurses and doctors will be conductedon Friday, May 2. Topics and facilitators are as follows:

• Case Management of a Measles Outbreak – Dr.  Kimberley Phillips
• Transition from the Pentavalent to Hexavalent Vaccine – Senior Health Sister, Juleyette Seranno.
• Development of a national Events Supposedly Attributable to Vaccination or Immunisation (ESAVI) surveillance system – Pharmacovigilance Officer, Sharon Goodridge, and Acting Chief Public Health Nurse, Larone Hyland.

Two health fairs have been planned for Saturday, May 3. These will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Emerald City Complex, Six Roads, St. Philip, and Massy Car Park, Warrens, St. Michael.  Several polyclinic services, including immunisations, will be offered during the outreach.

The National Vaccination objectives for 2025 are as follows:

• Achieve and maintain at least 95 per cent vaccine coverage for primary vaccines.
• Identify and vaccinate childhood defaulters who have missed scheduled doses.
• Immunise vulnerable persons, including adults with tetanus and influenza vaccines.
• Increase HPV vaccine coverage among the adolescent population
• Enhance public awareness of the benefits of vaccination.
• Ensure vaccination remains a national health priority.
• Educate healthcare workers on the transition from the pentavalent vaccine to the hexavalent vaccine in January 2026.
• Update childhood vaccination records, registers, and manuals to reflect current information.

Members of the public are encouraged to access the services at polyclinics during Vaccination Week in the Americas 2025

Author: Joy-Ann Gill

Publish: April 15, 2025