Health ministry pleased with rate of vaccination

Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson, says given the constraints Jamaica faces, he is very pleased with the country's rate of vaccination.

"The coverage of vaccination in Jamaica is fantastic. These are difficult times and in spite of that, we have been able to achieve over 90 per cent for all the vaccinations. That is remarkable and is First World in terms of achievement," he said.

Ferguson was speaking on Monday at the launch of Vaccination Week in the Americas on the grounds of the Maxfield Park Health Centre in St Andrew. The week runs from April 26 to May 2 and will be observed under the theme 'Boost Your Power! Get Vaccinated!'.

Ferguson emphasised that vaccination provides the most cost-effective method to prevent diseases and stops some two to three million persons from dying globally each year.

He commended the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) for its assistance in the coverage that is provided for the population.

"A lot of praise has to be given to PAHO, which has set up a revolving loan fund and an economy of scale between the countries in the Americas to bring the cost of vaccines down," he said.

Meanwhile, Ferguson said the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine will soon be introduced in Jamaica, and that he will elaborate on the subject when he speaks in the Sectoral Debate on May 5.

HPV affects the human skin and the moist membranes of the human body, such as the throat, mouth, feet, fingers, nails, anus and cervix.