Manama, Apr. 26 (BNA): The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Walid Khalifa Al-Mana, inaugurated a celebration marking the World Vaccination Week, which was held around the world under the slogan “The Great Catch-up”.
The event was organized by the Public Health Directorate under the auspices of the Minister of Health, Dr. Jalila bint Al-Sayed Jawad Hassan.
Dr. Al-Manea said that the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean recently praised the Kingdom’s efforts in combating measles and rubella, which reflects the leadership’s continuous support for preventive programs.
The Undersecretary reviewed Bahrain’s efforts in dealing with infectious diseases and controlling epidemics through vaccines, including its success story in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, which was praised by the World Health Organization.
Dr. Al-Manea said that, in line with the health strategies implemented by Bahrain, new vaccinations have been added to the national vaccination program based on international and local scientific updates and recommendations. He added that there is a recommendation to add the human papillomavirus vaccine to the program, and to give it to females and males between the ages of 12-13 years to protect them from cervical cancer in females and other types of cancers in males.
Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Ijlal Al-Alawi, said that Bahrain introduced the smallpox vaccine in 1940, followed by all vaccinations, which helped reduce morbidity and mortality rates from many infectious diseases that could be prevented by vaccination.
Vaccination services extend to all ages within the framework of the Expanded Program on Immunization, which provides recommended vaccinations from birth through routine vaccinations for children, including women of childbearing age, the elderly, and groups most vulnerable to disease, as well as health workers and travelers, said Dr. Al Alawi. .
Vaccination coverage rates have exceeded 95% since 1997 in Bahrain, which indicates the progress of sustainable development efforts, and reflects society’s high confidence in the preventive services provided by the Ministry of Health in partnership with various sectors and international and regional organizations.
ZHB