During the recent Budget debate,  Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, JP,MP stated, “Vaccine hesitancy is a primary challenge. Immunization coverage was 72% at 2 years of age in 2017, Data for 2018 shows 78%, significantly below the global target of 95% coverage.  Low vaccination coverage increases our vulnerability as a community to re-emerging vaccine preventable diseases, such as measles, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).  The concerns are evident in the low immunization coverage and confirmed through a poll survey conducted as a part of Vaccination Week of the Americas in April 2018.  To that end the Department of Health (DOH) has created a working group to address public and health provider concerns.  The working group includes DOH staff, private sector physicians and community stakeholders.  The focus of the working group is education for health professionals and the public on the issues.   The use of technology for messaging is being explored.”

This week further evidence has been published in the Annals of Internal Medicine showing vaccines as safe and effective.  A large study in Denmark (by Hviid et al, titled “Measles, Mumps, Rubella Vaccination and Autism: A Nationwide Cohort Study“) found no link between MMR vaccine and autism and confirmed that the vaccine does not trigger autism in some children.  However, measles outbreaks occurring worldwide remain a threat to Bermuda.  Travel in and out of Bermuda increases the risk of someone coming to Bermuda with measles.  This could be a visitor or a returning resident. Either way, with low coverage the disease could be spread locally.

Measles can lead to health complications including pneumonia and, in extreme cases, brain damage and death.  If you have measles you may have a fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes, followed by a rash.  The measles virus is spread through sneezing, coughing and close contact and can live in a room for up to 2 hours after a person with measles was present.

Choosing not to vaccinate can be serious, in addition to the discomfort for the sufferer and inconvenience caused by illness.  A child that is thought to have measles may need to be kept home for up to 3 weeks.  They will be unable to go to school or nursery, or participate in their regular activities, even if they feel better, until tests show they can’t spread the measles virus.  Blood tests are necessary and can take up to 2 weeks to get the final results. Family members and close contacts may need to stay home during this time too.  This can mean prolonged time off from work, inability to leave the house to do normal activities, and restricted travel.  Restriction is necessary to prevent the spread of the measles virus to others. 

The Ministry of Health encourages parents to vaccinate their children against MMR and all vaccines in the Bermuda Immunization Childhood Schedule and on time.  The MMR vaccine prevents measles and is safe and effective.  Children should receive the 1st shot at 15 months of age and again at 4 – 6 years of age.  Contact your physician or Hamilton Health Centre on 278 6460 for more information.