BARBADOS-Ministry of Health refutes misleading social media claims.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Ministry of Health and Wellness has called on the public to refrain from spreading “grave misleading allegations” that have been placed in the public domain by way of social media following the unfortunate and tragic death of an eight-month-old child.

The health ministry said in a statement that on Thursday, May 23, a private medical practitioner referred an eight-month-old child to the Accident and Emergency Department (AED) of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

However, the child arrived in an unconscious state and died following failed resuscitation efforts.

The statement said, “It is known that in keeping with common practice for children of such age, the child had been immunized at the St. Philip Polyclinic, with the last dose being administered on April 2.”

The Ministry said that in the aftermath of the death, it was rumored that the child was given the MMR vaccine.

“(The Ministry of Health). however, wishes to clearly state that the child had not received the MMR vaccines as being misleadingly stated in the public domain. The policy of the MHW is that the minimum age at which this vaccine is administered to children is one year of age.”

“In keeping with the Laws of Barbados, in cases of sudden and unnatural death, an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of this unfortunate death. The MHW takes this opportunity to extend its condolences to the family of the deceased child,” the statement added.

The expanded immunization program in Barbados has issued vaccines since the late 1970s, and they have been demonstrated to be effective at reducing the risk of disease.

“The Ministry of Health and Wellness reminds parents to keep their children’s vaccinations up-to-date according to the recommended schedule to minimize the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.”

Concerning deaths attributed to COVID-19, the Ministry said there is incorrect information in the public domain.

“These numbers stand at 648, with no deaths in the last reporting period of April 13 and May 10. During the pandemic, the COVID-19 vaccine was made available to the public by the Ministry of Health and Wellness as part of its commitment to use evidence-based measures to reduce the risk of severe illness and death.”

“The MHW urges members of the public to desist from spreading alarm amongst the population through maliciously circulating misinformation.”