Children with Down’s Syndrome (DS) are more prone to pneumococcal infection which can result in serious life threatening complications like meningitis and bronchopneumonia. The international Down Syndrome community therefore recommends vaccination against pneumococcal infection for children with DS during the age range that they are more likely to be infected with this organism (age 2 months to five years).
Children with Down’s Syndrome (DS) are more prone to pneumococcal infection which can result in serious life threatening complications like meningitis and bronchopneumonia. The international Down Syndrome community therefore recommends vaccination against pneumococcal infection for children with DS during the age range that they are more likely to be infected with this organism (age 2 months to five years).
The Jamaica Down’s Syndrome Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, is pleased to announce the availability of the pneumococcal vaccine for children with Down’s Syndrome effective March 1, 2013.
The vaccine will be administered on Fridays in the Out-Patient Department of the Bustamante Hospital for Children on referral by physicians. There will be no cost to the parents for this service. The vaccine is an addition to the current recommended vaccination schedule for all children in Jamaica.
Physicians may obtain referral forms from the office of the Jamaica Down’s Syndrome Foundation or download them from our website.
Parents must take a referral form and the child’s immunization record when they are going for the vaccine.