The British Virgin Islands were represented at a recent workshop that focused on planning for the introduction of a H1N1 vaccine.
Health Disaster Coordinator, in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Mrs. Dawn Leonard attended the workshop in Basseterre, St. Kitts, which was entitled “Sub-Regional Training Workshop for Planning of Pandemic Influenza Vaccine (H1N1) Introduction.”
The workshop was also attended by Nurse Marina Bedeau, the Expanded Programme for Immunization Manager with the BVI Health Services Authority.
Mrs. Leonard said the workshop’s primary objective was to provide the countries with the tools and information to develop national vaccination plans in order to facilitate the smooth deployment of vaccines when they become available.
“As a result of the workshop the Territory now has a draft Influenza Pandemic A H1N1 Vaccination Plan, which is currently being reviewed and should be ready for submission to Cabinet shortly”, noted the Health Disaster Coordinator.
The workshop, which was organised by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), is part of that Organisation’s technical co-operation activities with its member states in response to the influenza pandemic.
PAHO’s immunization project is developing sub-regional workshops to train countries to support planning for pandemic influenza vaccination.
Among the objectives of the workshop were to review the technical guidelines for vaccination against pandemic influenza; review software to support the logistics of deployment of pandemic influenza vaccine and other inputs; and to support countries in their preparation or updating of national influenza pandemic preparedness plans.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development aspires to provide leadership that promotes health, social wellbeing, and a safe environment as positive resources for living and sustainable development of the Territory.
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