Many nations in the South Pacific are currently falling short in their immunization coverage, a situation that poses significant risks to children’s health, according to Dr. Mark Jacobs, the World Health Organization’s representative for the region. Speaking at the 13th Pacific Immunisation Managers Meeting 2024 in Sigatoka, Dr. Jacobs emphasized the serious implications of this gap in immunization.
He noted that the surveillance systems for vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) have weakened, evidenced by the fact that the sensitivity indicator for polio surveillance was not achieved in Pacific Island Countries (PICs) in 2022. Dr. Jacobs reminded attendees of the alarming measles outbreaks in 2019 that occurred across five PICs, highlighting the fragility of progress made in public health.
To address these challenges, Dr. Jacobs underscored the need for concerted efforts to sustain public health achievements and prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. He expressed optimism about initiatives already underway in several PICs, such as routine catch-up and supplementary immunization activities aimed at closing immunity gaps. Capacity-building workshops have also been organized to improve immunization and surveillance standards across the region, marking positive steps forward.
The primary focus of this year’s meeting will be on strengthening health systems, targeting the elimination of measles and rubella. Dr. Jacobs hopes to foster regional discussions to revitalize and enhance immunization programs, thereby ensuring better health outcomes for children in the Pacific.
In summary, while the South Pacific faces significant challenges in immunization coverage, there is a collective commitment to overcome these hurdles through targeted actions and collaboration among Pacific nations. With sustained effort and effective implementation of health strategies, there is hope for improved immunization rates and better protection for the vulnerable populations, especially children, in the region.
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