Gov’t advised to consider adding COVID-19 vaccine to immunisation regime

Health and education officials in Barbados and the rest of the region have been advised to start thinking about adding the COVID-19 vaccine to the regime of regular immunizations for children.

The suggestion has come from Minister of Health in Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Molwyn Joseph who said officials in his ministry are in discussion on the issue and he believes it should be explored by all regional governments.

He briefly raised the issue on Friday as he addressed the opening ceremony of a media workshop for journalists from the Eastern Caribbean, entitled Beyond COVID-19: The Children’s Story, hosted by UNICEF and USAID in the twin-island nation.

Speaking to Barbados TODAY after his address, Sir Molwyn said he believes the matter should be on the agenda of regional Health Ministers.

“It’s time to have the discussion, and this discussion should be guided through PAHO [the Pan American Health Organisation] … COVID is going to be with us for some time and I think it’s not too soon to have this discussion,” he said.

“The fact is I have witnessed many of our children die in Antigua and Barbuda having contracted COVID from their parents or members of their family, so at least the dialogue should begin.”

Sir Molwyn said that while he did not expect stakeholders to be all on board immediately, given the sensitivity of the issue, he was hopeful that once fully informed they would see the benefits of taking such a step.

“Over the years it sometimes takes a period of adjusting to new policies and what we should do is engage in a series of educational programmes, provide the information to families. I believe that the same families that have accepted the regime of vaccines now, I would be optimistic in expecting them to accept the new vaccine, so I would not anticipate a lot of negative reaction,” he said.

Several Caribbean countries have already carried out COVID-19 vaccination campaigns for children as young as 12 years old, while a few others are either beginning to roll out immunization of younger children with the Pfizer pediatric vaccine or trying to source the jab.

However, it has not been mandated for children. (DP)