Bridgetown, Barbados, 26 April 2026 (PAHO/WHO) - Barbados began its Vaccination Week in the Americas 2026 celebrations with a church service on Sunday.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Mr. Wayne Webster, staff from the island’s polyclinics, PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries (ECC), Dr. Amalia Del Riego, and members of her team, joined the congregation of St. Luke’s Anglican Church for the 8.30 am church service.
During his address, Mr. Webster underscored the importance of vaccination by stating “vaccination remains one of the most effective public health measures, second only to clean water and hand washing.”
He reminded the gathering that vaccination has protected Barbados and other Caribbean nations from diseases which once caused death and disability among children, allowing our region to be among the first countries to eliminate common childhood diseases such as measles and polio and to reduce the burden of diseases such as Diphtheria and whooping cough; all preventable by vaccines.
Complacency and vaccine hesitancy have led to a decline in vaccine rates, he said, and he stressed the need to increase these rates. This year theme “your decision makes a difference. Immunization for all” is a call to provide the public with accurate information for their informed decision for vaccination.
Mr. Webster said Vaccination Week in the Americas was providing an outreach through polyclinics, nurseries, preschools and primary schools to identify children who have missed vaccinations; and tetanus and flu vaccines would also be made available to such groups as the elderly.
During her sermon, Rev. Merlene Lucas acknowledged the great responsibility which the Ministry of Health and Wellness has for the health of our nation. She called on our nation to be selfless and care for each other and on the health workers to continue providing care with love and empathy.
