Zulma López/ DLA.-
The shortage of vaccines in public health centers and their high cost in the private sector They force Venezuelan mothers, and mainly those who live in the border state of Táchira, to move to Colombian territory so that their children can have the traditional vaccination schedule.
Just 50 meters from the Simón Bolívar international bridge, specifically in the town of La Parada, there is a vaccination center where two nursing professionals attend from Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm to those who come to immunize their children.
One of the nurses is Stefany Guerrero, who said that for two months they have been there launching a vaccination program carried out by the Jorge Cristo Sahium Hospital, located in the Villa del Rosario municipality, in the North of Santander, Colombia. .
According to Guerrero They serve between 20 and 30 people daily and the majority are Venezuelans. who arrive at the place and return to their country, so it is estimated that they are not migrants passing through Colombia.
The nursing professional said that the people who arrive at the vaccination center are They assure that in Venezuelan hospitals they do not find vaccines such as pneumococcus and rotavirus and for consultations they must pay for them in dollars and they are expensive, so they prefer to go to La Parada instead of applying them for free.
He detailed that the vaccination schedule on site is complete and covers ages from two months to 5 years and has Polio, Pentavalent, Rotavirus, Pneumococcus and influenza vaccines. For those between 9 and 18 years old, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is applied.
The Venezuelan mothers who were there assured that a pneumococcus vaccine in Venezuela can cost close to $250 and a rotavirus vaccine can cost $120. To this we must add the amount in foreign currency that they must pay for the consultation.
Due to the high costs of vaccines in Venezuela, Venezuelan and Tachiran mothers prefer to cover the expenses incurred by moving to La Parada and accessing this vaccination program, which has become a crucial point to strengthen the Colombian health network and ensures that Venezuelan children receive adequate protection.
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Interview with Stefany Guerrero, Nurse at the Vaccination Center in La Parada, Colombia
Editor: Thank you for joining us, Stefany. Can you tell us a bit about the vaccination program you’re involved in and what led you to set up this center in La Parada?
Stefany Guerrero: Thank you for having me. Our vaccination program was initiated by the Jorge Cristo Sahium Hospital to ensure that children from Venezuela can access essential vaccines. The shortage of vaccines in Venezuelan public health centers, along with the rising cost in private clinics, has forced many mothers to seek immunization options across the border in Colombia. We’ve been operating here for about two months, and we’re open five days a week to help these families.
Editor: What challenges do the mothers face when trying to get their children vaccinated in Colombia?
Stefany Guerrero: The primary challenge is the journey itself. Many mothers have to travel from various parts of Venezuela, which can be time-consuming and costly. There are also language barriers for some, and the psychological stress of crossing borders during these times is significant. However, once they arrive here, we strive to create a welcoming atmosphere to ease their concerns.
Editor: How do you feel about the community’s response to this vaccination program?
Stefany Guerrero: The response has been overwhelmingly positive. We see a steady flow of families coming in each day. They are relieved to find a place where their children can receive vaccinations that are vital for their health. It’s fulfilling for us to be able to provide this service and help alleviate some of their worries.
Editor: Looking ahead, what are your hopes for this vaccination initiative?
Stefany Guerrero: My hope is that we can continue this program for as long as it’s needed. Ideally, I would love for the situation in Venezuela to improve so that families can receive vaccination services locally. Until then, we’ll keep working here to support these children and their families with the immunizations they need.
Editor: Thank you, Stefany, for your insights and the important work you are doing.
Stefany Guerrero: Thank you for shining a light on this issue. It’s crucial that we continue to advocate for the health of all children, regardless of where they live.
Is significant. However, the major concern is often the lack of vaccines available in their local hospitals, particularly for diseases like pneumococcus and rotavirus. This pushes them to the immigration route for basic healthcare necessities.
Editor: How has the response been from the Venezuelan mothers bringing their children to your center?
Stefany Guerrero: The response has been overwhelmingly positive. We serve between 20 and 30 children daily, and most of them are from Venezuela. They express immense gratitude for the services we provide, as many of them would otherwise struggle to access these essential vaccinations. The mothers often share stories of the high costs of vaccines in Venezuela, with some citing prices upwards of $250 for a single pneumococcus vaccine.
Editor: That’s striking. What specific vaccinations do you provide at the center, and what age groups do they cover?
Stefany Guerrero: We offer a comprehensive vaccination schedule that covers children from two months to five years. It includes vaccines for Polio, Pentavalent, Rotavirus, Pneumococcus, and influenza. For older children, specifically those between 9 and 18 years old, we also provide the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Our goal is to ensure that children receive full protection, despite the challenging circumstances.
Editor: It’s commendable work you’re doing, Stefany. How do you see the future of this program, particularly in the context of ongoing health challenges in Venezuela?
Stefany Guerrero: I remain hopeful. As long as there is a need, we will continue to operate this vaccination center. Collaborations with health institutions like the Jorge Cristo Sahium Hospital are crucial, and we’re always looking for ways to improve and expand our services. Our priority is ensuring that every child, regardless of their nationality, has access to necessary vaccinations. We also hope that conditions improve in Venezuela so that families no longer have to face these challenges.
Editor: Thank you, Stefany, for sharing your insights and the important work being done at the La Parada vaccination center.
Stefany Guerrero: Thank you for having me! I’m glad to raise awareness about this critical issue and the needs of Venezuelan families.
