Residents in Westmoreland Urged to Update Immunisation Records

Residents of Westmoreland are being encouraged to ensure that their immunisation records are up to date as part of efforts to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases.

Medical Officer of Health for Westmoreland, Dr. Marcia Graham, made the call ahead of Vaccination Week of the Americas, during the monthly meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation in Savanna-la-Mar on April 9.

“We have Vaccination Week of the Americas that starts the 25th of this month and runs into May 2,” she said.

She emphasised the importance of maintaining accurate vaccination records, particularly for children.

“We encourage persons whenever they are coming to the doctor, taking their children to the doctor, travel with the immunisation card for the children,” she urged.

She further advised that schools play a critical role in supporting immunisation efforts.

“When children are going to school we also encourage the parents to have a copy of the vaccination record at school,” Dr. Graham added.
Health teams, she said, will continue to assess immunisation status and address any gaps identified.

The Medical Officer of Health also used the opportunity to remind residents of the importance of remaining vigilant against imported diseases.

“Malaria Day is coming up on the 25th of this month. I am happy to say we have no case of malaria in Jamaica but we have open borders and so this is a potential disease that can be imported,” she noted.

Dr. Graham advised persons travelling to countries where malaria is endemic to take preventive medication as prescribed.

“I want to encourage persons if you are planning travel… there is medication that can be ordered… and that will prevent us from importing malaria because we want to keep Jamaica malaria-free,” she said.

Residents are being urged to take proactive steps to protect their health and support national disease-prevention efforts.