We are NOT authorized by Govt of India for Yellow Fever Vaccination

Sunday, June 5, 2016

MOH in Jmaica, West Indies, increases days Yellow Fever vaccinations are administered. Jun 2016

Persons intending to travel to Yellow Fever affected areas now have greater access to vaccinations. This as the Ministry of Health has increased the number of days Yellow Fever vaccinations are administered. The decision was made based on the increase in the number of persons attending health centres recently for Yellow Fever vaccination.

The new schedule to access Yellow Fever vaccinations started on Monday. Yellow Fever vaccinations will be administered at the Slipe Pen Road Comprehensive Health Centre in Kingston on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and the Montego Bay Type 5 Health Centre in St James every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $1,500 per vaccine. It is also advised that the vaccines be (done) administered at least ten (10) days prior to travel. In order to reduce waiting time persons, especially groups, are being asked to make appointments.

The Ministry is reiterating the importance of persons getting vaccinated when travelling to or transiting through affected countries as has always been required. The Ministry recently increased public education on the matter in light of the current Yellow Fever outbreak in Angola and ongoing transmission in the Americas. 

Health Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, says “We are trying to make the public aware of this possible threat and in so doing reduce the risk of persons becoming ill by encouraging everyone to get vaccinated once travelling to or transiting through an area with risk of Yellow Fever transmission".

Yellow Fever is an acute illness caused by the yellow fever virus which is found in the tropics of South America and Africa. The virus is transmitted by the bite of  infected mosquitoes such as the Aedes; the same vector that transmits the Chikungunya, Dengue and Zika viruses.
Yellow Fever is a Class 1 notifiable disease which means it is to be reported to the Ministry of Health within 24 hours on suspicion by a healthcare professional. 
Comment: I believe that it is time that the Indian Government also considers increasing the number of days that Yellow fever vaccination is administered in various centers in our country. Also, private centers should be licensed by the GOI to allow easy access to travelers to Africa and South America, for Stamaril, Yellow fever vaccination. 

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