Good morning.
Today, I am proud to stand with Bermuda and our global partners as we celebrate the 23rd annual Vaccination Week in the Americas and the 14th World Immunization Week.
This year’s call to action . . . ‘Your choice makes a difference, reminds us of the powerful role we all play in safeguarding health and well-being through vaccination.
Bermuda remains committed to immunization as a foundation of public health.
At the regional level, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is championing the ‘Disease Elimination Initiative,’ a vision to reduce at least 30 communicable diseases and conditions by 2030—11 of which are preventable with vaccines. This bold goal underscores the urgency and importance of our efforts, uniting us in a shared mission to protect lives.
Here in Bermuda, our focus this year centers on three critical priorities:
- Ensuring equitable access to vaccines throughout every stage of life: Every individual deserves the protection that vaccines provide, from infancy through adulthood.
- Fostering trust in the safety and efficacy of vaccines: By providing accurate information and addressing misconceptions, we empower people to make informed decisions with confidence.
- Encouraging uptake of the HPV vaccine among adolescents, which is vital in preventing cervical cancer and other serious cancers, securing the health and futures of our young people. As well, we are encouraging uptake of the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, which is highly contagious and preventable.
The measles vaccine is both safe and life-saving, and we must all work together to ensure that our community is fully protected.
To that end, the Department of Health will hold Walk-in Childhood Vaccination Catch-up Clinics at the Hamilton Health Clinic on April 29th and May 2nd. I strongly encourage parents to attend these sessions if their child is not up to date on vaccinations.
Vaccination is more than a personal choice; it is a collective responsibility.
It transforms lives, strengthens communities, and protects our future.
This Vaccination Week, let us reaffirm our commitment to the message that Your choice makes a difference.
Together, let’s build a healthier and brighter future for Bermuda.
Thank you.