NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Immunization coverage for measles, mumps and rubella improved to 98 per cent in The Bahamas in 2009, Minister of Health, Dr the Hon Hubert A Minnis said Thursday.  

The figure represents a 7.5 per cent increase over the years 2004-2006 when the statistics dropped to a little under 90 per cent and is 3 per cent above the recommended Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) standards for vaccination coverage.  

Dr Minnis said overall coverage for routine vaccinations had remained greater than 90 per cent from the years 2001-2003 before the drop-off in the aforementioned three-year period.  

His disclosure came as health officials continue preparations for the observance of Vaccination Week in The Americas, which will take place from April 26 to May I. The Bahamas will join 43 other countries worldwide in observing the week.  

Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) is an unparalleled effort led by countries of Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in the Region by reaching populations with otherwise limited access to regular health services, and at heightened risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases.  

More than 288 million individuals “across the age spectrum” have been vaccinated as a result of the initiative since its inception in 2003.  

Dr Minnis said efforts to eliminate measles, mumps and rubella from the Bahamian landscape began in 1997 and again in 2003. He said “significant achievements” have been made in the control of vaccine-preventable diseases in the country.  

“The last recorded case of polio was more than 30 years ago, while the last reported cases of diphtheria and tetanus neonatorum, were reported more than 10 years ago,” Dr Minnis added.  

Dr Minnis said the country has registered a “steady decline” in other vaccine-preventable diseases as a result of ongoing public health measures.  

He said the Expanded Program on Immunization, which was implemented in the region and The Bahamas in the late 1970s, continues to produce positive results for the country.  

The Health Minister said the Government of The Bahamas has supported and continues to support the vaccination program through the provision of free vaccinations for targeted, vulnerable populations.  

“Additionally, there is also a requirement of a completed vaccination record for entrance into pre-school, primary school and The College of The Bahamas,” The Minister of Health added.  

He said while childhood vaccination has been a “great public health achievement” and while the development and widespread use of vaccines has led to the reduction or eradication, of once-common childhood diseases, the viruses and bacteria that cause vaccine-preventable diseases and death still exist, and “can be passed on to people who are not protected by vaccines.”  

“Regarded as a ‘best buy’ public health intervention, vaccination has been responsible for almost one-quarter of the reduction in mortality rates in children under five years of age from 1990-2002 and is now believed to have even more far-reaching impact insofar as the economy, educational outcomes and more years of productive life,” Dr Minnis said.  

“In recent decades, The Americas – including Latin America and the Caribbean – with support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), have made extraordinary progress in providing children with protection against basic, vaccine-preventable diseases,” the Health Minister added.  

Dr Minnis said influenza vaccination will be a major focus during Vaccination Week of the Americas 2010 globally as more than 26million persons will be targeted for vaccination.  

He said during the week, the national administration of the AHINI Vaccine will continue as part of a weeklong vaccination outreach that has been scheduled for the R M Bailey Park, beginning Monday, April 26.