GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Section Youth Health Care, within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, is advising those who plan to travel for the summer holiday season to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations.
Schools throughout the country closed on Friday, July 3 for the six week summer holiday, and some families will be traveling abroad. Youth Health Care is advising, – Travel Smart, Get Vaccinated.
Vaccines boost the power of your immune system and fight off vaccine preventable diseases.
Vaccines work by mimicking disease agents and stimulating the immune system to build up defenses against them; they prepare your body to fight off disease when exposed to full strength pathogens in the future.
The national immunization program of Sint Maarten protects against the following vaccine preventable diseases: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping cough (also called Pertussis), Polio, Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib), Hepatitis B, Pneumococcal disease, Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Human Papilloma Virus infections (to protect against cervical cancer).
Each year, unvaccinated people get measles while in other countries. A person could bring this back to Sint Maarten which could lead to an outbreak.
Vaccination is the best protection against measles. Before leaving for trips abroad, make sure you and your family are up to date with their vaccinations.
Youth Health Care is located at the Ministry of Public Health, Vineyard Office Park in Philipsburg at W.G. Buncamper Road #33. For further information you can call 542-2078 or 542-3003.
