Barbados Health Ministry urges Flu Vaccinations for vulnerable groups

The Ministry of Health in Barbados is now urging vulnerable residents to go get their flu shots because there has been a rising prevalence of flu, cold and allergy symptoms on the island.

Availability of Flu Vaccine

Nevertheless, with flu vaccines said to be available at the polyclinics on all the islands of Barbados, the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kenneth George disclosed that flu vaccination is not commenced at national level at all, pointing out that there is still a possibility the timing is off to give flu shots.

Controversies regarding approach followed in Barbados

It has caused controversies regarding the strategy toward the seasonal flu in the island, to some people claiming that a better synchronized national approach could bring more results.

Why Flu Vaccine is necessary? 

The seasonal flu vaccine is essential to give protection to groups of people who are at the highest risk of developing complications if they get in contact with the flu virus.

The authorities continue to state that vaccination is still useful in preventing crippling effects of flu even if administered much later.

The lack of national vaccination remains a problem that indicates a disunited state that will not help in the creation of immunity.

Research Findings on Vaccination

Study revealed that integrating a single focused strategy such as early specific campaigns and community awareness activities could substantially decrease the morbidity burden of seasonal conditions.

Dr. George further amplified some of the lessons learnt during this pandemic including the timing of the vaccination campaigns.

Community health awareness and engagement strategies, and especially proper surveillance health standards to forecast the flu season and develop the right vaccine formulations are key points to achieve improved results in public health.

From now on the Ministry takes the responsibility to consider not only such factors as increased flu activity in the short term but also to infuse the advantage of receiving a vaccination.

The current studies show that flu shots may not be very effective at the current time which means that the public awareness campaigns have to focus on the need for vaccination with flu shots for future immunity protection.

Such a call requires renewed health policies to protect vulnerable folk and enhance the prevention and control of seasonal disease in the Island.