– in bid to stem resurgence of measles, polio

THE National Immunisation Programme of the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) will be undertaking a series of vaccination programmes in all of the country’s ten administrative regions.

The exercise is in keeping with celebrations to mark International Vaccination Week in the Americas, which is being observed from April 20 to 27.

According to the MoPH, this year, as Guyana joins in the celebration of immunisation week, the emphasis will be on “coverage that ensures a healthy population that is defenced against the global threats of measles, polio and the myriad of diseases that are prevented by vaccines given free of cost to all Guyanese.”

And in keeping with the regional schedule, today’s activities will comprise of the launch of Vaccination Week and the hosting of a health fair at Dartmouth and Suddie, in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), while in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), the launch will be held at the Melanie and Industry Health Centres, both of which are located on the East Coast Demerara (ECD). In Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) the Regional Health Services Compound will be the venue for the launching of Vaccination Week and the holding of a rally, while in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice), a Vaccination Week Mop UP will be held at One Mile.

Tomorrow, a Vaccination Week Launch, Walkathon and Vaccine Mop UP will be convened at Wakenaam, in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); and in Region Four the launch of Vaccination Week will move to the Mocha Health Centre, on the East Bank Demerara; and the High Dam Health Centre.

On Friday, April 26, the hinterland villages of Phillipai in Region Seven, (Cuyuni-Mazaruni ) and Shulinab, in Region Nine ( Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) will be the focus of the launch of Vaccination Week and Vaccination Week Observances, respectively; and on Monday, April 29, a Vaccination Week Launch and Mop Up will be held at Port Kaituma in Region One (Barima-Waini) and a Vaccination Week launch at Kato, in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).