Organized by the Chief Officer in the Ministry of Health   and the Public Health Department, Health Minister, Hon. Osbourne Bodden, and the Deputy Governor, Hon. Franz Manderson, led a line-up of public servants receiving the flu vaccine Thursday, 7 November 2013, in the Government Administration Building.

They were followed by Chief Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs, Eric Bush; Chief Officer, Ministry of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs, Mrs. Mary Rodrigues; Chief Officer, Ministry of District Administration, Transport and Tourism, Mr. Stran Bodden; Chief Officer, Ministry of Planning, Land, Agriculture, Housing and Infrastructure, and Chief Officer, Jennifer Ahearn and other staff from the Ministry of Health, as well as employees from the Government television channel CIGTV.

Health officials explain that the 2013-2014 vaccine includes protection against the 2009 H1N1 virus, influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B.

The vaccination is recommended for all persons aged six months and older. It is particularly important for the young, the elderly, pregnant women, persons with weakened immune systems, morbidly obese persons (with a BMI of 40 or greater), as well as healthcare workers and caregivers.

Interested persons can get the flu shot from the General Practice Clinic at the Cayman Islands Hospital, Faith Hospital in Cayman Brac, and all district health centres between 2pm-4pm Monday through Friday. Residents of Little Cayman should contact the clinic there to make arrangements. To minimize workplace disruption and ensure that as many persons as possible get vaccinated, the Public Health Department will continue the onsite workplace vaccination initiative for companies with twenty or more employees wishing to have the vaccine.

Noting that the vaccine reduces the chances of getting the flu and transmission of the virus, Minister Osbourne Bodden urged employers to avail this opportunity and encouraged   the general public to get vaccinated against the flu.

According to the Director for Primary Health Care Services, Dr Kiran Kumar said, “People need to get vaccinated as soon as possible and definitely before the peak of the flu season which ranges between December and January.”

“So far, 1,150 residents have been vaccinated, we have limited supply and additional supplies will not be available once the stock is depleted”, he added.

For more information on this year’s flu vaccine contact the Public Health Department at tel. 244-2648 or your district health centre or healthcare provider.

Photos by GIS

1.         Public Health Nurse Annie Kay Price explains the consent forms to Deputy Governor Franz Manderson

2.         Nurse Price gives the flu shot  to Health Minister Osbourne Bodden

3.         Nurse Price holds a swab to the arm of the Chief Officer for Home Affairs Eric Bush

4.         CIGTV Anchor Donna Bush receives her shot.