Queens print edition (PDF) - Caribbean Life

Aug. 24-30, 2012 • Caribbean Life • Queens/Bronx/Manhattan/Westchester • Page 14From left, Grand Marshall Sam Wright, Jamaica Independence Celebration FoundationInc. Chair Paulette Willoughby, Consul General Herman G. LaMont and PrimeMinister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson-Miller during the singing of the USA and Jamaicanational anthems.Photos by Ajamu PhotographyJamaica PM joins Jamaicansat 50th Independence Galayears of independence.The officially mandatedJamaica 50 celebratoryevent held at theNew York Hilton & Towershosted more than 1400guests, including guest ofhonor, The Most Hon. PortiaSimpson-Miller, primeminister of Jamaica.The culturally enrichinggala celebrating Jamaica’s50th Independence, cohostedby The JamaicanIndependence CelebrationFoundation Inc. andthe Consulate General ofJamaica celebrated Jamaica’smusical and theatricalhistory spanning its 50FridaysJust Got BetterCaribbean Life is now distributed every FridayGreat Local CoverageGreat Coverage of the CaribbeanGreat ColumnsGreat Sports CoverageAt the event, AmbassadorDr. Basil Bryan, formerconsul general in New Yorkand Dr. Una S. T. Clarke,former New York CityCouncilwoman, were honoredfor their long timecontribution to the JamaicanCommunity in the NewYork area.Include immuniuzations onyour back-to-school checklistBy Susan Beane, MDIt’s back-to-school time,when parents are busymaking sure that theirchildren have everythingthey need to start theschool year on the rightfoot.If you’re like manyother parents, you probablyhave a checklist ofthings you need to do orpurchase before your childreturns to school. But onething parents often neglectto check is whether theirchildren are up-to-datewith their immunizations.In addition to buyingpencils, pens, books, backpacks,and new clothes,you should also make sureyour child is up-to-date onimmunizations. Vaccinesare the best way to keepkids healthy and protectthem against life-threateningillnesses, includingmumps, measles, rubella,influenza, and many others.A large population ofunvaccinated people –many of them childrenand teens – has causedsome of these diseases tobecome a growing threat.For example, measles outbreakswere four timesgreater in 2011 than inprevious years.1 And, pertussis(whooping cough)has been on the rise in2012. The Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention(CDC) states that asof July 5, 2012, 37 stateshave reported increases inpertussis compared withthe same time period in2011. 2By neglecting to schedulean immunization, youcould be putting yourchild at risk for a serioushealth problem. BecauseSusan Beane, MD.the diseases requiringimmunizations tend to behighly infectious, leavingyour child unvaccinatedalso puts other childrenat school and in your communityat risk.Fortunately, there’sa simple solution to takingthe guesswork out ofdetermining whether yourchild’s immunizations areup to date: contact yourpediatrician. If you don’thave a pediatrician, besure to visit a health clinicin your community anddiscuss childhood immunizationswith a doctorthere. You should alsocheck with your school tosee if it requires your childto have any immunizationsbefore returning tothe classroom.Making sure that yourchild has all the necessaryimmunizations may be themost important item youneed to check off on yourback-to-school checklist.Dr. Beane is vice presidentand medical directorat Healthfirst. For moretips on leading a healthierlifestyle, visit the HealthfirstHealthy Living websiteat www.hfhealthyliving.com.References1. WebMD. Children’sVaccines HealthCenter. http://children.webmd.com/vaccines/news/20120419/us-measles-cases-outbreaksquadruple-in-20112. Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention(CDC). Pertussis (WhoopingCough) Outbreaks.http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/outbreaks.html/.More Weekend CoverageMore Entertainment Storiesand Now Just in Time for the Weekendwww.caribbeanlifenews.com