Minister for Health and Social Development has said that timely vaccinations are the safest and most effective way to protect families and the community from a long list of potentially life-threatening illnesses.

Honourable Skelton Ronnie W. Skelton, in a statement in support of the 16th annual Vaccination Week, is calling on parents and guardians to ensure that their children have up-to date vaccinations.

Minister Skelton said, “As we continue our efforts towards recovery we want to ensure that we continue to protect the welfare of the people of the Territory from the youngest to the oldest.  We know that healthy children grow up to become healthy adults, which brings us as a Territory closer to our goal of achieving a healthier Virgin Islands.” 

The Minister for Health stated that it is important that residents continue to support these initiatives as they provide an opportunity to advocate for continued investment in strong immunization programmes.

 “It is also an opportunity to share information and educate the community on the importance of vaccination and its impact on the continued fight against dangerous diseases like measles, polio, and tetanus among others,” he added.

Honourable Skelton is inviting residents to support a soccer game on Virgin Gorda, a health fair and the outreach and educational sessions organised for the week.

The 16th annual Vaccination Week is being observed from April 21 to 28 in the region of the Americas under the theme “Strengthen your Defense! #GetVax #VaccinesWork”

Vaccination Week in the Americas is an annual public health campaign by member states of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) to promote equity and access to immunizations.  It is observed every year during the last week of April.