THE Caribbean Association of Pharmacists (CAP) has called on its members to assist in regional efforts to make the oral polio vaccine more available and accessible, in the wake of the recent resurfacing of polio-myelitis in Haiti and Santa Domingo.President of CAP, Ellen Campbell Grizzle said that pharmacists are uniquely placed in all Caribbean territories to boost immunization efforts.
"We can, where possible, deliver the oral drops to children as part of a public-private sector collaboration and ensure that whenever we dispense medication for children under five, the most vulnerable group, the question of immunization is raised with responsible guardians and parents," she said.
Recent data have indicated that the polio virus is being spread in faeces, and in areas where immunization and sanitation are poor, children are more at risk.
CAP is urging pharmacists to assist local health and environmental authorities with promotion and education campaigns.
