Seychelles celebrates 50 years of saving youngsters’s lives by immunization 

Victoria ‒ Matteo Pragassen is nearly a yr previous and his mom, Diane Uranie, has introduced him to the Beau Vallon well being centre in Victoria, Seychelles’ capital, for his measles-mumps-rubella vaccination. Shortly after arrival, nurse Brigitte Mathiot deftly administers the shot, and it’s all over. 

“As a part of my postnatal care, the clinic suggested of me of the totally different photographs Matteo must take as he grows older which are mandatory for defense towards the assorted diseases,” says Uranie. “I’m completely happy that he’s getting the photographs as a result of it helps his physique get immunity from ailments.” 

Routine childhood immunization is a key component of kid well being and survival companies provided by the Ministry of Well being in Seychelles. The immunization programme in Seychelles was formally established in 1974, with World Well being Group (WHO) assist and celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this yr, together with WHO’s Expanded Programme on Immunization. Seychelles’ programme has grown over time to incorporate 13 antigens. 

Seychelles has attained excessive vaccination protection for important childhood vaccines, reaching above 95% – which is perfect to keep away from vaccine-preventable illness outbreaks within the inhabitants. In 2022, protection for the primary and third doses of the diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis-containing vaccine (DTP1 and DTP3, respectively) and the primary dose of the measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) within the nation was estimated at 99%, 97% and 98%, in contrast with a regional common of 80%, 72% and 69%, respectively. The nation additionally weathered COVID-19 disruptions, with solely a slight dip in protection in 2021 which had been restored to pre-pandemic ranges the next yr.  

There has additionally not been a single case of measles or rubella within the nation for the final 4 years and immunization efforts have positioned Seychelles on the observe to turn into the primary nation within the African area to obtain certification for measles elimination.

“The final polio case recorded in Seychelles was in 1966 and the nation has progressed in the direction of reaching the worldwide targets for polio eradication. The nation additionally obtained wild polio-free certification from WHO in September 2020,” says Marylene Lucas, Director of Group Well being Companies within the Ministry of Well being in Seychelles.

In keeping with Lucas, the success of the immunization programme is multi-faceted. Free and accessible youngster well being companies permits ladies to ship at well being services, making certain that vaccines administered at beginning are obtained in a well timed method. Immunization can also be built-in into different youngster survival interventions and well being staff educate moms on the significance of immunization from the outset. “We begin selling immunization with the moms from the antenatal clinic appointments, proper by beginning and postnatal till when the youngsters go to high school,” says Mathiot. “Each go to we repeat the message and remind the moms of the significance of immunization.” 

Seychelles’ steady economic system and high-level political dedication have translated into sustainable monetary assets and a devoted a devoted price range line for immunization that can not be used for different interventions. Excessive literacy charges and entry to media and knowledge facilitates widespread acceptance of vaccination among the many inhabitants, as evidenced by the nation’s success in COVID-19 vaccination. It was solely one in every of 4 international locations within the African area to vaccinate over 70% of the full inhabitants towards COVID-19. 

“WHO commends the Authorities of Seychelles in its dedication childhood immunization,” says Dr Rex Mpazanje, WHO Consultant in Seychelles. “The Group was there 50 years in the past when the nation established the programme, we now have continued to be there for the final 5 a long time, and we sit up for being there because the nation reaches even larger milestones in its efforts to halt vaccine-preventable ailments.”

WHO has been a key companion of Seychelles in strengthening its immunization programme and making certain that each one youngsters are shielded from vaccine-preventable ailments. Over time, the Group has offered technical steerage and monetary assist for brand new vaccine introduction and to maintain excessive protection of present vaccines, supported the event, implementation and monitoring of nationwide immunization insurance policies, performed common coaching for well being staff, donated medical gear and provides to make sure the standard and security of vaccines and facilitated the change of experiences and classes discovered with different international locations within the African area and past. 

Matteo will develop up protected towards all vaccine-preventable ailments, because of the dedication of his mom and a well-established well being system. “I perceive why Matteo must have his photographs as I had them as properly and all of us have to have them,” she says. “I wouldn’t need him to fall unwell as a result of we uncared for to observe recommendation.”