In a bid to support the parents, the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) has organised a Christmas Immunisation Day, scheduled for this Saturday at 14 locations throughout the parishes of St Catherine, St Thomas, Kingston and St Andrew.

"This Immunisation Day is aimed at improving the region's immunisation coverage for 2008, to ensure that children are adequately protected from deadly vaccine-preventable diseases going into the New Year," said Dr Heather Reid Jones, acting regional technical director of the SERHA.

Reid Jones also said "parents must make use of this opportunity to ensure that their children enter the New Year in good health".

Parents and guardians are reminded to take their children's immunisation cards with them. Normal week-day immunisation sessions will remain available at health centres throughout the south east region.