Boost for Ministry of Health’s Back to School Immunization Drive

The Ministry of Health has received a donation of supplies from the National Health Fund (NHF) to support its annual ‘Back to School Immunization’ campaign.

The donation comprises 60 new igloos to store vaccines and 10,000 pens and 20,000 pencils as promotional items for children who receive vaccination during the one-week immunization drive from August 16 to 20.

Chairman of the NHF, Ryland Campbell speaking at the handing over of the items at the NHF offices on Dominica Drive in Kingston on August 17, said “the drive for increasing immunization at this time is to enable parents to comply with the Jamaican law that requires all children entering school, nursery and day care to be adequately immunized for their age before they can be accepted in school.”

He said the NHF was particularly pleased to support the programme, which was necessary for the youth at this time and formed part of the NHF’s commitment to promoting health and wellness among the populace.

Acting Director of Family Services at the MOH, Dr. Christine Gabbadon, in thanking the NHF for its contribution, noted that the equipment and incentives for the children were important to the entity’s immunization outreach sessions.

The ‘Back to School Immunization’ drive is an annual observance by the Ministry of Health, which will see approximately 65 major health centres island wide offering vaccinations daily instead of one day per week as is customary.

The 10 diseases to be immunized against include, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella and Haemophilus (Hib) a type of meningitis often found in children.

The drive will continue until the first week of September when children are expected to be back in school.