Barbados is in an enviable position: free of measles. But that status is not guaranteed. As cases of measles begin to re-emerge across parts of the globe — and closer to home in the Americas — we must not take that disease-free status for granted. Measles, once all but eliminated in many regions due to robust vaccination programmes, is making an unwelcome comeback. The time to act is before it reaches our shores, not after.
Public health officials have rightly flagged declining vaccination rates and global travel as key risk factors. In a world more connected than ever, it takes just one infected traveller to set off a chain of transmission. With recent cases reported in major international hubs and warnings issued by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the risk is real — and rising.
Measles is not a mild childhood illness. It is highly contagious, with the potential to cause serious complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death. What’s more troubling is that it can spread before symptoms appear, making early detection and containment difficult. A single case in an under-vaccinated population can lead to an outbreak.
Barbados has long benefited from strong public health infrastructure, and our record on childhood immunisation is one to be proud of. The island has historically had strong vaccination coverage through its public health system, particularly with the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine. But the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic — including disruptions to routine immunisation services, vaccine hesitancy, and strained healthcare resources — have led to a decline in coverage across the region, and we are not immune to those trends.
According to PAHO, the Americas must achieve at least 95 per cent MMR coverage to maintain herd immunity and prevent outbreaks. Some Caribbean countries, including those close to Barbados, are falling below that threshold — a deeply worrying sign.
Health experts are sounding the alarm: measles is making a comeback, and unless urgent steps are taken, the region could see its first widespread outbreak in decades.
It’s imperative that our health authorities step up surveillance, ensure that frontline workers are alert to the signs and symptoms, and most importantly, reinforce public confidence in vaccination. This means clear, consistent messaging that counters the misinformation still circulating online.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness must double down on public education, particularly around the safety and importance of childhood immunisations. This includes going into communities, working with schools and religious organisations, and engaging parents who may be hesitant due to misinformation or lack of access.
Efforts should also focus on catch-up vaccination campaigns, particularly for adolescents and young adults who may have missed doses. Some countries are even reintroducing mass immunisation drives — an option that Barbados may need to consider if gaps in coverage are identified.
It also means readiness: having protocols in place to quickly isolate, trace, and treat any suspected case of measles before it becomes a headline. Rapid isolation and reporting mechanisms must be reinforced. Airports and seaports should also remain vigilant, as imported cases from other countries — especially via tourism and regional travel — pose the most immediate threat.
We have seen from recent history — including the COVID-19 pandemic — that delays in action can have devastating consequences. Barbados has an opportunity to be proactive and stay ahead of the curve.
The key is prevention. If we act now — with urgency and clarity — we can avoid the disruption, illness, and potential tragedy that a measles outbreak would bring. This is not alarmism. This is a call to action.
A measles outbreak isn’t just a problem for faraway places. It’s knocking on our door.
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