Rubella vaccination campaign underway

For the next six weeks, the Ministry of Health will be holding a national campaign to immunize Belizeans against rubella. The effort is part of “Vaccination Week of the Americas” and will target people between the ages of five to thirty-five because statistically this is the age group most likely to contract the virus. Rubella, also known as “German Measles”, is transmitting by sneezing or coughing. It is of particular concern for pregnant women because if they contract it in the first trimester, the child could be born with congenital rubella syndrome, which can cause deafness, blindness, heart problems, cataracts on both eyes, and other birth defects. Fortunately, rubella can be prevented with a safe, effective vaccine and the ministry is asking all adults in this age group who have not been vaccinated, and all children who have not received the combination Measles-Mumps-Rubella or M.M.R. vaccine, to visit their local health centres. The vaccines are provided by the Government of Belize through the World Health Organisation, which has certified they meet international standards. The shots are being offered free of cost at all health centres and nursing staff will be visiting worksites, schools, business, and villages to offer the service.