The Ministry of Health wishes to advise the general public that through an article in the daily Tribune dated 4th January 2017 entitled “From a picture of health to death’s door for baby Aidan” an infant experienced what appeared to have been a severe illness after receipt of routine immunizations. The Ministry of Health has since commenced the required review and investigations as is the case for all reports of adverse reactions following immunization.

In such a case, there is a formal reporting requirement for all health care providers who administer vaccines. It is to be noted that both private and public facilities are to report ALL suspected adverse events to the Ministry of Health within 48 hours of occurrence of the event. The Ministry of Health receives about 5 – 6 reports of adverse reactions yearly.

The purpose of a vaccine is to induce protection from disease in the vaccinated individual through stimulation of an immune response to the administered vaccine. While adverse reactions to vaccines can occur, they are very rare and are usually mild e.g. local swelling or redness at the injection site and fever. These reactions may appear within a day or two of receipt of vaccine, usually disappear spontaneously and do not lead to long-term problems.

The National Immunization Programme has provided sustained access to the highest quality vaccines for infants, children and adults for decades. Like other pharmaceuticals, vaccines used in The Bahamas undergo extensive safety and efficacy evaluations before and after licensure. Vaccines administered in the public sector are procured through the PAHO/WHO Revolving Fund and are safe and effective. It must be noted that at no time was the Ministry of Health out of stock of vaccines in 2015 or 2016 and all clients presenting for vaccines at public clinics received the recommended immunizations.

Prior to the introduction of vaccines there were many children who became ill, disabled or died as a result of contracting one of the vaccine preventable diseases. With sustained high immunization coverage over the years the world has seen the eradication of Small Pox in the 1970’s and the Region of the Americas was certified as free of poliomyelitis in 1994, free of Rubella and Congenital Rubella in 2015 and free of Indigenous Measles in 2016. Today in The Bahamas these diseases are not common due to the success of our vaccination programme. In fact, the government of The Bahamas received recognition from the Director General of the World Health Organization and the Director of PAHO during the 55th meeting of the PAHO Directing Council, held in Washington in September 2016, for its leadership as the first country in the world to eliminate rubella and congenital rubella syndrome through the immunization of children, adult males and females.

The Ministry of Health and PAHO/WHO are cognizant that the benefits of vaccines far outweigh the potential risk of complications from diseases that are preventable through vaccination. They both advocate for ALL children to be vaccinated according to the recommended National Immunization Schedule in order to eliminate and reduce vaccine preventable diseases in the country. The public and private sectors are required to utilize the same schedule. It is recommended that an infant or child who misses a scheduled vaccination appointment be immunized as soon as possible after the missed appointment date. It is important to note that administering all recommended vaccines during the same visit is standard practice as it increases the chances of the child being fully immunized. Studies have shown that vaccines are effective whether one or multiple vaccines are given simultaneously and carry no increased risk of adverse reaction.

In The Bahamas, national immunization coverage for childhood immunizations has remained greater than or at the WHO target for the past decade. Immunization coverage in 2015 was 95% for DPT/Hib/Hep B and Polio and 94% for MMR. The recommended coverage by WHO is greater than 90% and the Region of the Americas is greater than 95%. If there is a decrease in immunization coverage in the pediatric population there is a likelihood of reintroduction of vaccine preventable diseases in the country.

The Ministry of Health encourages parents to keep all scheduled vaccination appointments for their children. For further information or questions please contact the National Immunization Programme at 341-1766, 341-1741 or email ruthbastian@bahamas.gov.bs. You may also contact your nearest Community Clinic or Health Care Provider.

Ministry of Health