Madagascar: DISEASE PREVENTION – Vaccination coverage rate on the rise

Rebound. The number of vaccinated children is increasing. “Following the collateral effect of Covid-19, globally, only 30% of children were vaccinated during this pandemic. Currently, we are reaching 85 to 90% of the target,” said the Minister of Public Health, Professor Zely Randriamanantany, during the “Sarobidy ny aiko” medical caravan event, held in Toamasina on March 7.

This increase is observed in Basic Health Centers (CSB). “Almost all the children we see in consultation are vaccinated. This is mainly due to advanced strategies. Our vaccination team goes to every neighborhood to vaccinate unvaccinated children,” said a doctor at a CSB II, yesterday.

The current vaccination coverage rate is still not sufficient. “It must be above 90%. Below that, our children will not be immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases,” Professor Zely Randriamanantany continued. Hence the resurgence of certain epidemics, notably poliomyelitis. Since 2020, two hundred eighty-seven cases have been confirmed, with seventy-nine reported in 2023. Forty-five of them have acute flaccid paralysis, including two adults. Other epidemics are to be feared if this vaccination coverage rate does not increase.

Awareness

The First Lady, Mialy Rajoelina, has pledged to make 2024 a year dedicated to promoting vaccination during her meeting with the delegation of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Efforts will be intensified in the fight against childhood diseases through strong sensitization of parents to vaccinate their children. Among the efforts already undertaken is the provision of vaccination during the medical caravan. Several parents have indeed come to immunize their children in Toamasina during the passage of the medical caravan in this port city.

Miangaly Ralitera