Improved access to non-traditional vaccines
The Ministry of Health is looking at improving access to non-traditional forms of vaccines to the Jamaican population.
Speaking at the launch of the 14th Vaccination Week in the Americas, Portfolio Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, said offering these non-traditional vaccines “as part of our routine administration to the population” is crucial particularly in light of the increasing disease migration.
“As minister, my aim is to work with the team to positively impact the lives of Jamaicans by providing the best quality health care, and I am fully committed to this process, starting with expanding the public/private partnerships towards improving access to various forms of health care including immunisation,” he said.
IMPROVE ACCESS
The launch was held at the Emancipation Park in New Kingston. He said the introduction of these vaccines would form part of the Ministry’s strategic plan to improve access to the best quality health services for all Jamaicans.
“For example, the mitigation of non-communicable diseases like some cancers which can be prevented through vaccination, such as the ... Human Papilloma virus, which causes cervical cancer, falls in line with the Ministry strategic plan,” he said.
Also, Tufton said the Ministry will continue to provide vaccines for children at no cost in the public health sector, and will continue to employ various ways to get parents and guardians to comply and adjust to the routine vaccination schedule.