British Virgin Islands Health Minister Vincent Wheatley is sounding the alarm over the rise of vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, warning in a statement issued Wednesday that these trends threaten to undo decades of public health gains in the Virgin Islands and beyond.
The remarks came as Wheatley officially launched Vaccination Week in the Americas 2025, a regional health initiative being marked locally under the theme “Your Decision Makes a Difference: Immunisation for All.”
In his written statement, Wheatley cited a troubling global resurgence of measles—including cases reported in the United States, Canada, the UK, and CARICOM countries—as evidence of the impact of declining vaccine confidence. “Because of the growing number of people who no longer see the benefit of vaccination, there has been a resurgence of measles,” he noted. “This misinformation poses a serious risk to public health and undermines decades of progress.”
Wheatley urged parents to keep their children up to date with routine vaccines and emphasized the importance of immunization for pregnant women, seniors, and those with chronic health conditions. He also called on healthcare workers to lead by example and maintain their vaccination schedules for diseases such as MMR, hepatitis B, and influenza.
The statement further reminded healthcare providers of their legal obligation to report notifiable diseases promptly to the Public Health Unit under the Infectious Disease Notification Act.
“I want to remind all healthcare providers and clinics of their legal responsibility under the Infectious Disease Notification Act, to promptly report all suspected or confirmed notifiable diseases to the Ministry of Health and Social Development’s Public Health Unit. Timely and accurate reporting allows us to take quick action to prevent further spread and protect the wider community.”
Vaccination Week activities in the BVI are being led by the Health Services Authority’s Community Health Services team, with support from the Ministry and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). Events planned include school outreach, educational sessions, and community engagements aimed at encouraging informed decision-making.
“The decision to be vaccinated truly makes a difference,” the statement concluded. “Together, let us keep The Virgin Islands strong, safe, and healthy.”
