Youth Health Care Section announces start of annual school vaccination campaign.

The national vaccination program is managed by JGZ starting from infancy at the Wit Gele Kruis consultation centers, where JGZ doctors monitor children's development and vaccinate them until they are four years old.JGZ monitors children's development and vaccination schedule in preparatory and primary schools after reaching the age of four.

The vaccines provided by JGZ to our children include the regular DKTP, MMR, and Hepatitis B vaccines and in recent years, the HPV vaccine. The DKTP vaccine protects against Diphtheria, Whooping Cough (Pertussis), Tetanus, and Polio. The MMR vaccine protects against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. The Hepatitis B vaccine protects against Hepatitis B, and the HPV vaccine protects against the Human Papillomavirus, which can cause cervical cancer in women. Except for the HPV vaccine, children in primary school already received their first doses of the other vaccines (DTP, MMR, and Hepatitis B) when they were babies and the booster at school at four and ten years old, according to the national vaccination schedule.

JGZ recently sent a letter to parents with children in preparatory or primary school who are missing a vaccine or need a booster. The letter informs parents about the vaccine the child needs to receive and also requests the parent's permission for JGZ doctors and nurses to vaccinate the child at school. JGZ asks all parents who received the letter to sign it and return it to the school as soon as possible.

This school vaccination program has been in existence for more than 70 years, and thanks to the high vaccination rate among our children, we no longer see the severe diseases that used to claim children’s lives or cause lifelong disabilities, such as Polio and Diphtheria. JGZ emphasizes that they do not administer COVID-19 vaccines.

Parents who want more information can contact JGZ at 5224294. For more information, like Facebook page Directie Volksgezondheid DVG Aruba, follow DVG on Instagram at directie_volksgezondheid_aruba, visit the website at www.dvg.aw, call at 5224200, or email at servicio@dvg.aw.