Bridgetown, Barbados, 27 April 2026 (PAHO/WHO) - Members of the public were reminded of the safety and the benefits of vaccines during a health fair hosted at the Edgar Cochrane Polyclinic, as part of the activities hosted to commemorate the Vaccination Week in the Americas 2026 with the theme of “Your decision makes the difference. Immunization for all”.
During her address, Minister of Health and Wellness, Senator The Hon. Lisa Cummins, reminded the gathering that vaccines “meet the highest global safety standards before they reach our clinics. They continue to be monitored even after they’re introduced.”
The Minister of Health recalled that Barbados has a proud and distinguished history when it comes to immunization. Since 1969, supported by the Health Services Act and the Expanded Programme on Immunization, generations of Barbadian children have been protected from diseases such as polio, measles, diphtheria, and rubella, diseases which have been eliminated in Barbados.
Minister Cummins continued that vaccination rates have declined in recent years and while health officials are encouraged by coverage for the first dose of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccine increasing from 88% to 89%, and the second dose rising from 76% to 86% in 2025, efforts must continue.
Minister Cummins stated that vaccines are protecting us from diseases that are one single flight away from our shores, adding that if we do not reach a 95-percent threshold and do not have the herd immunity, then our communities are at risk.
Emphasising the Ministry’s continued commitment to the nation’s health, Minister Cummins said: “We are committed to making it easier for families to stay on track” advising that every parent should make full use of the various services provided at the polyclinic.
PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries (ECC), Dr. Amalia Del Riego, provided an update on the rise of measles cases in The Americas.
“Our vigilance is increasing as cases of measles escalate around the world and as we all know, we are a tourist destination. In 2025, 14,767 confirmed cases were reported across 13 countries—nearly 32 times more than in 2024. The trend continues in 2026: as of April 5, more than 15,300 cases have already been reported, exceeding last year’s total.”
Dr. Del Riego also stated that globally, more than 250,000 measles cases were reported in 2025, over half of them in Africa, the Western Pacific Region, and Europe. Less than 6% occurred in the Americas. However, in the first three months of 2026, the region accounted for 21% of reported cases worldwide. Dr Del Riego underscored that this year’s theme “Your decision makes a difference. Immunization for all” is aligned with the elimination initiative aiming at eliminating 30 diseases and conditions by 2030, including 11 vaccine preventable diseases; and that PAHO will continue supporting Barbados in the efforts to achieve that goal.
Visitors to the Edgar Cochrane Polyclinic were afforded the opportunity to catch up on missed vaccines, as well as benefit from health information, health screenings and treatment.
