Local News
Virgin Islands Launches Vaccination Week Amid Rising Measles Concerns
The Virgin Islands has officially launched Vaccination Week in the Americas 2025, aligning with the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) regional campaign under the theme “Your Decision Makes a Difference: Immunisation for All.” The initiative, running from April 26 to May 3, aims to bolster immunization efforts across the territory.
Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, emphasized the critical role of vaccines in safeguarding public health. “Vaccines protect lives, prevent illness, and help ensure that our children, families, and communities can thrive,” he stated during the launch event.
The campaign comes at a time when vaccine hesitancy and misinformation are contributing to a resurgence of measles globally. According to PAHO, the Americas have reported over 2,300 measles cases in 2025, a significant increase from the previous year. Notably, countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom have experienced substantial outbreaks, highlighting the need for sustained immunization efforts.
Minister Wheatley highlighted the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage, particularly among children, to prevent outbreaks. “Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation, and even death,” he warned.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development, in collaboration with the BVI Health Services Authority and PAHO, has organized a series of activities for Vaccination Week. These include school outreach programs, medical education sessions, media engagements, and community events aimed at promoting immunization and informed decision-making.
Healthcare providers are reminded of their legal obligation under the Infectious Disease Notification Act to promptly report all suspected or confirmed notifiable diseases to the Ministry’s Public Health Unit. Timely reporting is essential for effective disease surveillance and response.
The campaign also underscores the importance of vaccinations for expectant mothers, individuals with chronic conditions, and the elderly. Vaccines such as the influenza and tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) are recommended during pregnancy to protect both mothers and their newborns.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has confirmed that Tarik Aaron was arrested shortly before midnight on Friday, April 17, on extradition orders issued by authorities in the United States Virgin Islands, and has since appeared before the Magistrate’s Court.
According to police, the arrest was carried out in connection with a request from USVI authorities, though further details have not been disclosed.
Aaron appeared before the Magistrate’s Court today and was denied bail.
Further updates are expected as more information becomes available.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office has announced an increase in fees for United Kingdom passports, effective April 8, 2026.
According to the office, the revised fees apply to new, renewal and replacement passport applications, as well as other related services.
Under the new structure, the cost for a new, renewal or replacement adult passport has been set at £116.50, while the fee for a child passport is £75.50. Adult frequent traveller passports will cost £130.50, and child frequent traveller passports £89.50.
The fee for changes to an existing passport will also be £116.50. In addition, a delivery fee of £14.32 will apply.
The Civil Registry and Passport Office advised that the updated fees are now in effect and apply to all relevant applications submitted on or after April 8.
A bill proposing wide-ranging changes to the Virgin Islands’ electoral system was introduced in the House of Assembly today, Tuesday, April 22, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley.
The proposed Elections (Amendment) Act, 2026, is based on consultations with stakeholders and recommendations from observer missions, as well as input from the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections.
“This is the Elections Amendment Act 2026, following extensive deliberations with a number of entities, including a committee of the House who looked at recommendations of various observer missions that came to The Virgin Islands,” Hon. Wheatley said during the continuation of the Second Sitting of the Third Session of the Fifth House of Assembly.
He said the bill also builds on work undertaken by the previous House of Assembly. “Also, the last House of Assembly looked at a number of recommendations that were forwarded through the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Office of the Supervisor of Elections,” he said.
Hon. Wheatley said the proposed amendments were developed through discussions on changes to the Elections Act. “We had very extensive discussions about amendments to the Elections Act, and of course, those recommendations were used to make this Amendment Act. This received its first reading some time ago, and now we are here to debate this Elections Act, so that it can therefore become law,” he said.
The bill introduces several reforms to the electoral framework, including expanded access to voting through mobile and curbside options for individuals with physical limitations and the formal use of assistive technologies for voters with disabilities.
It also provides for the establishment of a Department of Elections and an Elections Advisory Committee to oversee voter registration and election administration.
Additional provisions include a formal Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates, along with new rules governing campaign donations and political financing.
The legislation also proposes restrictions on the announcement of major public grants or projects shortly before an election, aimed at addressing potential incumbency advantages.
The bill has already received its first reading and is expected to be referred to a committee when the House of Assembly resumes on April 30, 2026, at 10 a.m., where it will undergo further review as part of the legislative process.
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