Concerns raised as Botswana's child immunisation coverage drops
UNICEF Representative, Dr Joan Matji has called on all citizens and caregivers to disregard the myth and misinformation doing rounds about vaccines but instead ensure that they take their children for immunisation when called to do so.
Currently, the Ministry of Health is not only concerned but disappointed that there are parents and caregivers who disadvantage their children by denying them the right to be immunised in this age and era.
Botswana joined the continent in participating in the African Vaccination Week (AVW) from April 24 to 28 under the theme, 'The Big Catch Up.' The AVW is aimed at reaching children who, for various reasons including disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, missed vaccinations from 2019 to 2022.
Addressing the title, 'Vaccines shield the nation’s children from preventable diseases,’ Dr Matji said that ahead of the World Immunisation Week, the 2023 UNICEF publication, 'State of the World’s Children,' revealed that globally, an estimated 67 million children missed out entirely or partially on routine immunisation from 2019 to 2021.
She said that in Botswana, data from the Ministry of the Health reveals that immunisation coverage has declined in the same period, depriving children of key interventions to prevent them from contracting childhood illnesses.
She explained that routine immunisation regimen shields children from diseases such as tuberculosis, whooping cough, measles, rubella and polio, among others, in the short-term and long-term.
Not vaccinating children puts them at significant health risk and impedes their right to good health. Whilst vaccines have scientifically been proven to be effective and safe against life-threatening diseases, there are communities and parents who are resisting and or refusing to immunise their children including in Botswana.
Dr Matji said unfortunately, myths and misinformation about vaccines have “contributed to many caregivers and communities not taking their children in for immunisation at healthcare facilities.”
According to her, during the 2023 polio campaign which concluded in April, 81 per cent of the targeted children below seven years were reached, and that while 81 per cent “is a commendable achievement,” more still needs to be done to reach the remaining 19 per cent of children.
Dr Matji said Botswana’s immunisation programme is administered by the MoH through the Child Welfare Clinics every month in clinics, health posts and mobile outreach in hard-to reach areas.
She said prior to theCOVID-19 pandemic, Botswana had been reaching immunisation coverage of at least 90 per cent and post COVID-19 rates have dropped significantly. She said Botswana must therefore strive to improve coverage to pre-COVID-19 period by ensuring that all children are vaccinated in accordance with the immunisation schedule.
Matji reminded caregivers that vaccination is a fundamental right of a child as it aligns and contributes to Article 6 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which speaks of life, survival and development and Article 2 on the best interests of the child.