Get Your Shots! Push For Vaccination

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Are you or your children all caught up on your vaccinations? If not, you may want to track down those little pink vaccination cards. 

Doctors say many people missed or delayed routine vaccinations for preventable diseases including smallpox, measles, and even chickenpox?

Pediatric Consultant Dr. Deshawn Saunders says prior to the mid-1990s, there was no vaccine for chickenpox.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, the chickenpox vaccine prevents more than 3.5 million cases of chickenpox, 9,000 hospitalizations and 100 deaths per year.

But, staying up to date on vaccines is part of the prevention.

The Pan American Health Organization is launching vaccination week in the Americas, beginning April 23rd.

PAHO Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne issuing a call for everyone to get their shots.

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2020, 23 million children across the world missed out on vaccination – that’s the highest figure since 2009.