The Ministry of Health formally launched the Measles, Mumps and Rubella Survey on Friday, a strategy that seeks to ensure that Saint Lucia retains its status of being rubella free.

In April, PAHO/WHO declared the region of the Americas the first in the world to be free of the endemic transmission of rubella.

Nurse Julietta Cassius-Frederick, Manager for the Expanded Program on Immunization, explained that the survey is being conducted against this backdrop.

"The Caribbean is being urged to conduct activities to maintain the elimination status, so the MMR Survey is one such strategy," she said.

The ministry has expressed concern, however, over low vaccination rates for the second dose of the MMR.

"The second dose of the MMR vaccine which we normally administer at age 4 or 5 is a concern. We need to be able to improve the numbers. The survey will help us improve our immunization program as it will help us identify the inconsistencies, and improve data quality and health records."

In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, two students per grade in every school have been selected to form part of the survey. The parents of these students will be interviewed.

Medical Officer Dr. Sharon Belmar-George said immunization is a proven strategy for controlling and eliminating life threatening infectious diseases.

"It is one of the most cost effective health investments and it can be made accessible to children throughout our communities," Dr. George said.

She added that based on recommendations of PAHO/WHO, the Ministry of Health has formulated several strategies to ensure that every child has access to vaccines free of charge. To date, the Ministry of Health has maintained a 95 percent immunization rate in children under age two.

"We are quite concerned about children in the 4, 5 and 6 age range who have not been fully vaccinated, so part of this survey will allow us to asses our level of coverage within the schools."

The survey will be conducted by trained interviewers. Those chosen for the survey are asked to respond as honestly as possible to the questions, which will allow for improved data collection and the formulation of policies that will improve the immunization program.

The survey is being conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, and is endorsed and supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).