BAMP warns of the lingering COVID-19 and other viruses; wants Gov’t to share clear vaccine policy

As Barbadians gear up for the festive activities associated with the Yuletide season and New Year, doctors are cautioning Barbadians not to forget that in addition to a resurgence of acute influenza-like illnesses, COVID-19 is still around with more transmissible variants continuing to emerge.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners (BAMP) indicated that while many have been celebrating the lifting of COVID-19 protocols and the return of social gatherings, Barbadians must not fail to exercise social responsibility during the Christmas season.

In fact, BAMP has called for the maintenance or reinstitution of hand sanitising stations in public buildings and private businesses, while urging members of the public to use their own hand sanitizers where none is available.

Additionally, BAMP particularly recommends that people who live in multi-generational households, or who are in contact with vulnerable individuals continue to wear face masks, for their own sake and for those who are unable to protect themselves.

The association also maintains that testing for COVID-19 should continue and the virus ruled out in those people presenting with acute influenza-like respiratory illness.

“We have noticed that limited COVID-19 vaccines are now available. We call on the Government to provide research-guided interventions to determine what our next steps will be.

“Will we purchase any of the highly effective, bivalent COVID-19 vaccines as boosters for those who wish to have them? A clear enunciation of public policy with respect to vaccine programmes for acute respiratory viruses is essential,” the statement read.

Strongly recommending that elderly and vulnerable persons ask their doctors about receiving a flu shot during the winter season, BAMP issued the reminder that while most respiratory viruses cause mild to moderate illness, many people are capable of developing severe illness that may require hospitalisation.

The release said: “Infants and the elderly are particularly at risk as well as people with obesity, non-communicable diseases, underlying immune compromised and weakened immunity for other reasons.

“Respiratory viral illnesses also often precede bacterial infections, including Streptococcal infections that can cause significant damage to the body and even death if they are not recognized and treated early.

“Fever, sore throat and poor appetite must also never be taken lightly as dehydration and metabolic derangements are, in themselves, a threat to life”.

The medical practitioners have also advised that respiratory illnesses are easily transmitted between persons in close proximity to each other, particularly when there is no protection, such as the wearing of face masks or the use of cough etiquette.

“Following the removal of most public health restrictions instituted during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a worldwide resurgence of acute, influenza-like respiratory illnesses.

“Children, in particular, are now exposed to viruses to which they developed no natural immunity over the past three years, including: influenza A and B viruses and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV),” the release added.

anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb