A workshop for healthcare professionals focused on increasing confidence in vaccinations as part of efforts to boost the island’s defences against certain diseases.

The annual Expanded Programme on Immunisation training session brought together more than 40 people from doctor’s offices, long-term care facilities and the Department of Health.

“This year’s sessions focused on building vaccine confidence, using the electronic immunisation registry and highlighting its interfacing with our stakeholders, identifying coverage gaps, ensuring safe vaccine handling and administration, and strengthening disease surveillance for illnesses such as measles, polio and chickenpox,” the government said.

David Kendell, the director of the Department of Health, and Lynn Jackson, the chief nursing officer, were joined by the healthcare professionals at the E.F. Gordon Hall of the Bermuda Industrial Union building on September 10.

The Government added that sessions were led by experts from the fields of epidemiology and surveillance, sexual reproductive health, child health and the EPI programme.

Mr Kendell said: “These government-led efforts keep Bermuda prepared, but protection depends on the partnership between healthcare providers and the wider community.

“The importance of public participation must also be underscored. Bermudians are proactive, and we look out for one another.

“Think of vaccines like hurricane insurance. We may not always see the storm coming, but being prepared protects us from the serious damage it could cause.

“In the same way, vaccines protect us from diseases that may seem rare but can return quickly if we let our guard down.

“Just as we would never cancel our hurricane insurance on a sunny day, we should never skip vaccines simply because everyone seems healthy.

“Staying protected is the best way to keep our families and communities safe.”

The Department of Health encouraged all residents to regularly review their family’s vaccination records and contact their doctor if they are not sure of their status.

“By keeping immunisations up to date, the public completes the protection that government and healthcare professionals are working hard to maintain,” the Government said.