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Parents Urged To Get Children Immunised

By: , February 11, 2015

The Key Point:

Deputy Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, is calling on parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated in order to minimize exposure to life threatening diseases.
Parents Urged To Get Children Immunised
Deputy Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, addresses the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) monthly meeting, held at the Council’s Chambers, downtown Kingston on February 10.

The Facts

  • The Deputy Mayor made the call during the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) monthly meeting on February 10, held at the Council’s Chambers, downtown Kingston.
  • Citing the recent outbreak of measles in the United States of America (USA) and Mexico, he said measures should be taken to ensure that it does not reach the country’s shores.

The Full Story

Deputy Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Andrew Swaby, is calling on parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated in order to minimize exposure to life threatening diseases.

The Deputy Mayor made the call during the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) monthly meeting on February 10, held at the Council’s Chambers, downtown Kingston.

Citing the recent outbreak of measles in the United States of America (USA) and Mexico, he said measures should be taken to ensure that it does not reach the country’s shores.

“The recent outbreak…should serve as a reminder for us to take all preventative measures possible to protect our children from this and all other diseases that are preventable,” he said.

Persons, who have never been or are only partly immunised are advised to visit the nearest health centre or their family doctor to get the necessary vaccines.

Under the country’s 1986 Public Health Act, all children should be fully vaccinated by their first birthday and receive booster shots thereafter.

All children under the age of seven must be adequately vaccinated for their age prior to entry to school, which includes nursery and daycare facilities. Failure to comply with the regulations can result in prosecution in a court of law.

The Regulations only allow for exemption from vaccination based on medical reasons and not on religious or philosophical beliefs.

Measles signs and symptoms appear 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. These typically include: fever, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat, inflamed eyes (conjunctivitis), skin rash, among other things.

 

Last Updated: February 26, 2015

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