Health

7 reasons why you should receive the COVID-19 Vaccine

The Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine is here. Many of us have already taken the proverbial plunge of that elixir within the syringe, but quite a few still have not. Let me be clear in saying that it’s absolutely okay to have questions and even be a little hesitant. This doctor has no problem with that, but I do see irresponsible posts on social media that makes me cringe sometimes. It’s hard to sort out fact from fiction. I get it.

One thing should be understood from the get go; Vaccines do not and are not designed to prevent contracting any virus or pathogen. This is not the function of a vaccine. The function of a vaccine is to prevent death or serious illness and hopefully dampen transmission to others.

First let me tackle the legitimate negatives.

1. ‘This thing develop very fast!’ —True. But practically all of the world’s major pharmaceutical companies dedicated their smartest scientist to address the pandemic, plus technology has improved at a seeming exponential rate in the last few decades.

2. ‘But I don’t know what’s in the vaccine.’—Um, I don’t know what’s in my Panadol or in my nasal spray either for that matter, but I still use them.

3. ‘But the vaccines have risks.’ —Yes they do, but so does riding my bicycle or even crossing the street. Everything worth doing has risks. In all seriousness, this vaccine is associated with the rare risk of a particular kind of brain clotting in younger females. To this I say consider the greater than 70% chance that severe Covid-19 infection will produce some degree of clotting as a result and affect one or more of your organs, possibly leading to death.

Now let me turn the page and list my 7 reasons why you should receive the vaccine.

1. It’s free. Not a penny needed for this life saving medicine.

2. Even if you get infected with the SARS-Cov2 virus, it’s safe to say that you will not die or be hospitalized. You might not even get sick.

3. You can lime, party and fête without anxiety very shortly. So watch out for independence and Christmas. Not to mention carnival next year.

4. You’ll be able to attend shows and sporting events without worry.

5. You can travel and cruise now on vacation with confidence.

6. The end of the face mask outdoors is in sight the more the rates of vaccinated go up.

7. You can hug and interact with your elderly parents and grandparents, as transmission is determined to be highly unlikely.

Written by Dr. Derek B. Thorpe
Dr. Thorpe is a nuclear medicine and functional medicine physician with post graduate degrees from Cornell School of Medicine and the University of Florida. He mentors clients through the ketogenic diet and treats pain and injury through optimisation of blood flow. mongo505@hotmail.com | (246) 244-9555

Health

Vaccination Week In The Americas April 26 – May 3

Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) 2025 will be held from April 26 to May 3, under the theme Your Decision Makes a Difference. Immunisation for All.

This year marks the 23rdanniversary of VWA, and it will be celebrated with several activities to reinforce the role of immunisation in saving lives.

The week will begin with a church service at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, at the Grace Communion Church, at the St. George Secondary School, Constant, St. George.

Tuesday, April 29, and Wednesday, April 30, have been designated Polyclinic Open Days. As such, immunisations and other services will be available to members of the public on a walk-in basis.

On April 29, the Frederick Miller, Eunice Gibson, Winston Scott, and St. Philip Polyclinics will have their open day. On April 30, the public may visit Brandford Taitt Polyclinic, Maurice Byer Polyclinic, David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex, Edgar Cochrane Polyclinic, and Randal Phillips Polyclinic. All open days will run from 8:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

A half-day Health Educational Workshop fornurses and doctors will be conductedon Friday, May 2. Topics and facilitators are as follows:

Case Management of a Measles Outbreak – Dr. Kimberley Phillips
Transition from the Pentavalent to Hexavalent Vaccine – Senior Health Sister, Juleyette Seranno.
Development of a national Events Supposedly Attributable to Vaccination or Immunisation (ESAVI) surveillance system – Pharmacovigilance Officer, Sharon Goodridge, and Acting Chief Public Health Nurse, Larone Hyland.

Two health fairs have been planned for Saturday, May 3. These will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Emerald City Complex, Six Roads, St. Philip, and Massy Car Park, Warrens, St. Michael. Several polyclinic services, including immunisations, will be offered during the outreach.

The National Vaccination objectives for 2025 are as follows:

Achieve and maintain at least 95 per cent vaccine coverage for primary vaccines.
Identify and vaccinate childhood defaulters who have missed scheduled doses.
Immunise vulnerable persons, including adults with tetanus and influenza vaccines.
Increase HPV vaccine coverage among the adolescent population
Enhance public awareness of the benefits of vaccination.
Ensure vaccination remains a national health priority.
Educate healthcare workers on the transition from the pentavalent vaccine to the hexavalent vaccine in January 2026.
Update childhood vaccination records, registers, and manuals to reflect current information.

Members of the public are encouraged to access the services at polyclinics during Vaccination Week in the Americas 2025. (PR/GIS)

Health

MENTAL HEALTH IN FOCUS AT THE 69TH CARPHA CONFERENCE

The mental health crisis in the Caribbean has escalated to alarming levels, with young people bearing the brunt of rising anxiety, depression, and stress. This stark reality was underscored by Chief Medical Officer, the Most Honorable Dr. Kenneth George, as he addressed the media launch of the 69th CARPHA Annual Health Research Conference.

With this year’s theme—”Mental Health: The Hidden Pandemic”—highlighting the growing concern over mental well-being in the region, Dr. George revealed a startling statistic: Barbados has experienced a 100 percent increase in individuals seeking psychological and mental health services during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Across the region, there have been notable rises in persons experiencing mental health conditions, especially among young people, with many individuals experiencing heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and stress,” he said. “In Barbados, there has been a 100 per cent increase in the number of individuals seeking psychological and mental health services during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This surge is reflective of a broader regional trend where the impact of the pandemic has led to significant rises in mental health conditions.”

Though steps have been taken to address the crisis, Dr. George acknowledged that the work is far from over. The lingering effects of the pandemic continue to weigh heavily on the population, making it crucial to expand and promote mental health services across the region.

One key focus is youth mental health, an area where Barbados is making strategic moves. Dr. George shared that the country is in the process of developing an adolescence policy, with technical support from PAHO. However, reaching young people requires a different approach.

“We are developing an adolescence policy for Barbados. PAHO has been strategic in giving us the technical support, I think the document is fairly well-advanced. The challenge with young people is that from an adolescence perspective we need to be strategic in how we reach them. We are not going to reach them through the polyclinics or the older methods [in] how we deliver healthcare. We have to meet them where they are, and understand their communities to deliver appropriate healthcare,” he explained.

Health

Tackling Barbados’ Chronic Disease Epidemic and Special Needs Support

By Deanzer Roberts

Barbados, like many Caribbean nations, is experiencing an epidemiological transition, with shifting dietary patterns. While undernourishment has declined, obesity remains a significant concern, with approximately 66% of adults being overweight or obese. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and some cancers, account for over 80% of all deaths in the country.

Food availability data reveal excessive consumption of protein, fat, and sugar, while the intake of fruits and vegetables remains inadequate—over 90% of the population fails to meet the minimum recommended levels. Simply put, Barbados is facing a chronic NCD epidemic.

To address this, the government has implemented a National Food and Nutrition Policy, supporting Baby-Friendly Hospital certification at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, a national school nutrition policy, and taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages, alcohol, and tobacco to reduce consumption of unhealthy products. Prime Minister Mia Mottley co-chaired a report entitled Healthy Taxes: A Compelling Policy for the Crisis of Today with Michael Bloomberg and former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers. This underscores the recognition of taxation as a deterrent while also raising revenue to offset rising health expenditures due to unhealthy lifestyles.

However, the government acknowledges that taxation alone is not enough. A strong public education campaign is needed to change behaviors. To this end, $1 million per year will be allocated for public education over the next two years, focusing on dietary changes and physical activity. Starting June 1, 2025, an excise tax of 20% will be placed on high-salt snacks, including Pringles, salted nuts, corn curls, salted popcorn, tortilla chips, salted pretzels, and salt crackers among others.

The government has also appealed to hotels, restaurants, and cook shops to remove salt shakers from tables and counters, encouraging people to taste their food before adding salt. While traditional dishes like salted pigtails and saltfish remain popular, citizens are urged to prepare them with reduced salt content.

This comprehensive approach—combining policy, taxation, education, and behavioral change—aims to curb the prevalence of NCDs, improve national health, and promote longer, healthier lives for all Barbadians.