For Vaccination Week in the Americas, the Ministry of Health is reminding all citizens about the importance of immunization in containing the spread of communicable diseases and is calling on all citizens to get vaccinated to protect their health and that of their families. 
 
The following vaccinations are offered for free throughout the week at any community health centre and will also be available on Vaccination Day at the Scarborough Waterfront, Scarborough.  Persons are asked to walk with their immunization card:

• Yellow fever
• Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR)
• Hepatitis B
• Diphtheria / Tetanus (DT)
• Seasonal Influenza
• Poliomyelitis
• Diphtheria Pertussis Tetanus (DPT)
• Pneumococcal
• Rabies
• Meningococcal
• Pentavalent

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON IMMUNIZATION
 
Q: What is immunization?
A: A vital component of primary health care that provides effective protection from vaccine preventable diseases.
 
Q: Why should I get immunized?
A: In the absence of protection by immunization these diseases cause death and disability, especially in infancy and early childhood. 
 
Q: Where can I get immunized?
A: Vaccinations are done by appointment at all health centres on days scheduled for immunization. Health centres usually schedule one or two days per week for immunizations. Please contact a health centre near you to find out their immunization schedule. 
 
Q: What vaccines are available in the public health sector?
          A: Vaccines are provided to prevent the following diseases:
•         Poliomyelitis
•         Diphtheria
•         Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
•         Tetanus
•         Measles (Rubeola)
•         Mumps (Parotitis)
•         Rubella (German Measles)
•         Viral Hepatitis B
•         Haemophilus Influenzae type b
•         Yellow Fever
•         Pneumococcal
•         Rabies
•         Meningococcal
•         Influenza
Also available in the private sector are the above inclusive of:
•         Varicella (Chickenpox)
•         Rotavirus Entiritis
•         HPV
 
Q: What documentation do I need?
A: You may be required to provide identification when you visit the Health Centre (passport, I.D. card or driver’s permit). In addition to which if you already possess an immunization card you are required to walk with this as well.

Q: Who should get immunized?
A: All citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

Q: How long does immunity last after getting a vaccine?
A: Generally, most vaccines offer life protection.  However, in some instances, you may be required to have a booster dose after ten (10) years.

Q: Where can I find more information?
A: You may find more information on immunization at the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) Division at the Ministry of Health or at any Health Centre
 

NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE

  
All persons involved in high risk employment eg. Health Care workers, Immigration Officers should be immunized against Hepatitis B.
 
 
BACKGROUND
 
The Vaccination Week in the Americas theme for 2012 is "For You, For Me, For Everyone, Get Vaccinated" and the main purpose of celebrating this week is to sensitize and create awareness among citizens of the importance of regularizing their immunization status for protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.  The success of Vaccination Week in the Americas has led to the launch of the first World Immunization Week in 2012.
 
Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) is an unparalleled effort-led programme by countries of Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in the region by reaching populations with otherwise limited access to regular health services and at heightened risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases. Since its inception in 2003, more than 323 million individuals across the age spectrum have been vaccinated as a result of the initiative. Multiple social communication campaigns have also been conducted under the framework of VWA, promoting vaccination to the public as an important preventative health measure.
 
In Trinidad and Tobago the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) was initiated in the 1970’s.  Immunization in Trinidad and Tobago is covered by an Act of Parliament: Public Health (Nursery Schools and Primary Schools Immunization) Act, Chapter 28:03 of 1973, making immunization against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, measles and yellow fever, a legal requirement for school entry.  Immunization for children begins at 2 months of age and is completed by 5 years.  No child over 2 months of age is allowed to enter a nursery, pre-school or primary school without first being immunized, or has started the immunization process.  Vaccines are given daily at all health centres and at City Hall on specific days.
 
Immunization coverage in Trinidad and Tobago for the past 12 years has been over 90%, and the goal is to attain 95% coverage of the population using all antigens by 2015.  Trinidad and Tobago has been successful in containing the spread of all communicable diseases for which there is a vaccine. 
 
In May 1985 the Ministers of Health of the region, through PAHO / WHO, announced the goal of eradication of the wild polio virus from the Americas by 1990.  The last case of poliomyelitis in the Americas occurred in South America (Peru) in 1991 and the Americas were certified polio free in September 1994.
 
In September 1988, the Ministers of Health in CARICOM countries resolved to eliminate “Indigenous Measles” from their countries by 1995.  No case of indigenous measles has been confirmed in these countries since 1991.