POSITIVE Parenting

IT IS very important that children are immunised as they grow. Immunisation is important as it protects children against communicable diseases, such as measles, mumps, tuberculosis, polio, rubella and hepatitis, through a vaccine.

Dr Karen Lewis-Bell, director of Family Health Services in the Ministry of Health and Environment, notes, "These diseases are highly contagious and many are spread through droplet infection and contact with infected persons, even by just being in the same location as an infected person."

For this reason, children should be protected as these diseases can cause severe illness or death.

Because of immunisation, diseases such as polio and mumps, which were once prevalent in Jamaica, have been eradicated.

The immunisation process lasts from birth to six months, after which, the child is mostly given boosters.

Parents can take their children to the following places to get them immunised:

Government health centres, where the service is provided free of cost.

Paediatricians or private doctors.

Sources: Dr Sandra Chambers, medical officer of Health at the Bustamante Hospital for Children and Dr Karen Lewis-Bell, director of Family Health Services in the Ministry of Health and Environment.