A SHORTAGE of the diptheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT) vaccine has been eased and parents whose children have not been immunised against whooping cough, tetanus (lock jaw) and diptheria are being advised to go to a clinic to have this done immediately.
Since February, the DPT vaccine had been in short supply but the Ministry of Health now says that there is now adequate supply of the vaccine at all the island's clinics.
While the Ministry could not immediately say how many children had not been immunised, it said there was enough supplies in stock and that none of its other vaccines were in short supply.
Diptheria is a bacterial disease which can cause paralysis or heart failure. Pertussis, or whooping cough, may cause repeated spells of coughing that can make it difficult to eat, drink or breathe, while tetanus can cause muscle spasms strong enough to snap the spine.
Arrangements had been made to reschedule some children's appointments for the DPT vaccine, which if taken early reduces a child's chance of getting the diseases, the Health Ministry said.
The Ministry also reminded parents that immunisation is free and that parents should ensure that their children are fully immunised by age two.
