Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation

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Childhood vaccines being offered on Saturdays in March

March 9, 2024

Several of the island’s polyclinics will be open on Saturdays this month, to give parents and guardians a chance to have their children immunised outside of regular clinic hours.

The move by the Ministry of Health and Wellness comes amid concerns that coverage rates for the first and second Measles, Mumps and Rubella or MMR vaccine are noticeably low.

It says last year, there was only 91% coverage for the first MMR vaccine and 76% coverage for the second.

According to the Ministry, this means there are gaps in the local MMR vaccine coverage which could leave Barbados open to an outbreak.

Today, childhood vaccines will be offered at the Randal Phillips Polyclinic in Oistins, Christ Church; the St. Philip Polyclinic, in Six Roads, St. Philip; and at the Eden Lodge Primary School, Eden Lodge, St. Michael, until 3:00 p.m.

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