A week of activities designed to promote the life-saving benefits of Immunization is underway. It’s in commemoration of Vaccination Week of the Americas 2012, which officially began on Monday. The theme of the celebration is, “For You, For Me, For Everyone. Get Vaccinated!’’ This year marks the 10th anniversary of the vaccination campaign initiative – but the first observance of World Immunization Week – of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Activities in Grenada marking the 2012 celebrations include health screenings, health fairs, lectures, community-based health-related events, open houses and an award ceremony for the top performers in the just-concluded Vaccination Week National Essay Competition. Chief Community Health Nurse (CCHN), Debbie Francis, speaking on the occasion of this year’s commemoration, said each year the Ministry of Health uses the opportunity to reflect on its immunization program, celebrate its achievements and strategically plan the way forward. Francis reiterated that immunization saves lives, and said the ministry is cognizant of the fact that vaccination plays an important role in Grenada’s development, especially in the face of new and re-emerging diseases such as Influenza- A, H1N1, Cholera, Tuberculosis and Chicken Pox. Over the years, the Health Ministry was successful in the implementation of its immunization program with a success rate of 100 percent, Francis said. “That program, of which I speak, covers and ensures that children from the age of six weeks are immunized against targeted diseases; and for that we place on record our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated and committed nurses and pediatricians throughout the length and breadth of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique,” she added. The CCHN also praised the efforts of the Grenada Government for ensuring that vaccines are provided free of charge at all public health facilities.