GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) second Vaccination Open House held on Saturday, June 10, was another success, attracting 126 clients.
109 fell under the school vaccination program and 17 under the baby wellness clinic.
15 clients attended the Oral Health presentation for the age-group 4-15 and 19 (9-12 age group) the Puberty and Reproductive presentation.
CPS, a department of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, held its Open House under the banner of the Vaccination Week of the Americas 2017.
Therefore, CPS invited 4th and 5th graders of all primary schools to participate in a Draw & Write Short Essay Contest. The theme of the contest was, “Why Vaccinations are Important.”
Winner of the essay contest was Mahika Ramchandani, of the St. Dominic School; 1st Runner up Andel Henry, Asha Steven Hillside Christian School; 2nd Runner up Tianna Mathew, Sister Magda Primary School.
Three complimentary prizes were given out to Anikia Gumbs, Sister Magda Primary School; Ravi Austin, Sister Magda Primary School; and Oyeiye Nwoke, St. Peters Hillside Christian School.
The goal of the essay was for students to gain an understanding why vaccinations are so important and what can happen to persons who are not vaccinated within the Sint Maarten community.
In total 241 clients attended the two Open House Vaccination events, and CPS is very pleased that parents and guardians took the opportunity to check their child’s vaccination status by attending one of the two open house activities.
During the first Open House, 115 young individuals visited the event with their parents/guardians; 15 were between the age 0-3; and 100 were between 4-17 years old.
The Open House events were held at the Vineyard Office Park in Philipsburg from 9.00am to 4.00pmfor children between 0-17 years old.
Vaccines help your immune system fight more than 20 dangerous diseases. From the time we’re born, vaccines offer protection to help individuals stay healthy throughout their entire lives.
CPS would like to thank its sponsors and stakeholders, Social & Health Insurance SZV, for providing reusable water bottles; Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise, provided school supplies as prizes for the essay participants under their theme maternal and child health; Debbie Zwanikken, who contributed her time to give the presentation on Puberty and Reproductive Health.
COPY OF THE WINNING ESSAY
