Children and adults can get vaccinations through walk-in appointments during a vaccination drive this week.

The Hamilton Health Clinic will offer catch-up clinics tomorrow and on Friday to get people up to date on their shots.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, made the announcement this morning for the start of the Pan American Health Organisation’s annual Vaccination Week of the Americas.

Ms Wilson said: “This year’s call to action, ‘Your choice makes a difference’, reminds all of us of the powerful role that each and every one of us plays in safeguarding health and wellbeing through vaccinations.”

Ms Wilson said that Vaccination Week was part of the PAHO’s wider aim to reduce the prevalence of 30 communicable diseases by 2030.

She said that vaccines were effective against 11 of these conditions.

Ms Wilson said that Vaccination Week would focus on three core goals — improving access to vaccinations, dispelling misinformation, and encouraging more shots against HPV, the human papillomavirus.

She explained that the health ministry wanted to service people of all ages to protect the greater community.

Ms Wilson added that giving out accurate information about vaccines would help to build trust and allow people to make properly informed decisions.

She said that a particular focus on adolescents getting immunised against HPV would help to prevent them from developing certain forms of cancer linked to the virus.

Ms Wilson also pushed for getting the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine to prevent the spread of the “highly contagious” measles virus.

She reminded the public that the MMR vaccine was safe and life-saving, adding: “We must all work together to ensure that the community is fully protected.”

Ms Wilson said: “Vaccination is more than a personal choice — it is a collective responsibility.

“It transforms lives, it strengthens communities and it protects our future.

“This Vaccination Week, let us reaffirm our commitment to the message that your choice makes a difference.

“Together, let’s build a healthier and brighter future for Bermuda.”

The announcement of Vaccination Week came after two cases of whooping cough were confirmed on the island yesterday.

Whooping cough, known by its scientific name pertussis, is a contagious respiratory illness spread through sneezing or coughing around others.

Signs of whooping cough are similar to that of the common cold, but last for about a week before transitioning into heavy coughing bouts.

Young children and people with weakened immune systems are particularly susceptible to pertussis infections, which can lead to fatalities in some cases.

Geneive Williams-Hart, the acting expanded programme on immunisation manager, said it was “essential” that everyone get vaccinated against measles as soon as possible.

She added that the MMR vaccine was proved to be safe and effective against the spread of measles.

Ms Williams-Hart said: “I urge all individuals who are not vaccinated against measles to take this opportunity to get vaccinated in order to protect themselves and their communities.”

The catch-up clinics will be held at the Hamilton Health Clinic on Victoria Street across from People’s Pharmacy on Tuesday and Friday between 4pm and 6pm.

Vaccinations for children will be free.