The rapid rise in the spread of misinformation regarding vaccines produced a
decrease in vaccine coverage following the COVID-19 pandemic, however,
according to the Ministry of Health there are signs that there has been a reverse in
that trend.
Superintendent of Public Health Nurses, Almarie Coates, is reporting that after
noticing the downward trend the ministry sprang into action that resulted in the
creation and implementation of a strategy to deal with the problem.
“Like all the other countries in the region, we lost momentum along the way with
regards to coverages of some routine vaccines, in 2021, however with resilience
and perseverance, we sprang into action. Strategies were utilized to swiftly
improve our immunization coverages for 2022,” she stated.
According to Superintendent Coates, the team utilized billboards encouraging
persons to take the vaccines, conducted interviews with persons, carried out in-
service education as well as public education, and utilized Public Service
Announcements on radio and television as a way of debunking the myths about
vaccination.
The ministry also appointed Coates as the chairperson to spearhead additional
research into the matter. “Manual search of the vaccine registers were done,
defaulters were called in, private pediatricians were contacted, which means that
we can now boast that after these trying moments, we can rejoice about our great
achievements for the year 2022,” she reported.
Vaccination coverages for 2022
2022 2021
PENT- DPT, Hep B, HIB 99% 93%
Polio – 100% 92%
MMR 1 – 100% 86%
MMR 2 – 91% 76%
“I must also report here that there were no reported cases or suspected cases of any
of the childhood vaccine-preventable diseases between 2019 to present. These are
good pieces of evidence/examples of the effectiveness of immunization,” she
further reported.
According to Superintendent Coates, the ministry recognizes the fact that it cannot
let its guard down, especially at a time like this. “We have to create a balance
between the management of the routine vaccinations, COVID-19 vaccinations, and
also other regular clinic duties. We have a mammoth task ahead. It’s no longer
solely childhood vaccinations. It’s vaccinations along the lifespan,” she remarked.
