Seven weeks from the end of the year, childhood vaccination coverage should be close to 95 percent in the 19 doses of the regular schedule, however, the report until September shows that The goal of 75 percent set for that month was not even reached.. If the rate of application is maintained as before, the projection made on the board of the Ministry of Health is that the ideal level will not be reached.
When reviewing the official data for the last reported month all vaccines were below 70 percent. The vaccine with the lowest coverage is Hepatitis B, this should be given to newborns in the first hours of life or before they are one month old to prevent infection with said virus.
The general range of said dose is 53 percent. When reviewing by area, inequalities are noted, central Guatemala and Ixcán have the highest levels, over 80 percent. The number contrasts with figures that range between 24 and 32 in the other areas of the department of Guatemala – northwest, northeast and south – Escuintla and Jutiapa, both with 37 percent.
According to doctor Nancy Sandoval, from the Guatemalan Association of Infectious Diseases (AGEI), this low coverage is a risk, since the vaccine seeks to prevent transmission of the virus from mother to child during pregnancy and protect against acute, chronic and complications.
He adds that the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that hepatitis B and C currently cause About 3,500 deaths a day in the world. Regarding Hepatitis B, it is estimated that there are 1.5 million new infections and 820 thousand deaths per year due to complications such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer around the globe.
The WHO proposed the goal for countries to achieve 90 percent coverage of the Hepatitis B vaccine by 2030, which would make the elimination of this infection and its complications feasible.
“The low vaccination coverage is worrying, especially because it puts everyone at risk of becoming seriously ill or presenting complications, especially the most vulnerable, who are the population at the extremes of life, children under five years of age and the elderly. and with comorbidities.”
Nancy Sandoval, de la AGEI
The low proportion of vaccinated children is not a problem specific to Guatemala, as it also impacts the rest of the countries. It is estimated that one in four children in the world does not have essential vaccineswhich in the opinion of the infectious disease specialist is the largest global decline in the last decade and leads to dangerous consequences.
Read also: Vaccination campaign against polio and measles begins in Guatemala
There is a high risk that minors will become infected with vaccine-preventable diseases that were already controlled in many countries, in Guatemala this is the case of poliomyelitis and measles, outbreaks of the latter have been detected in countries such as the United States, Mexico, Brazil and Venezuela.
OPS Alert
On October 31, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an epidemiological alert due to the detection of measles cases in the Americas, a region that was certified free of the disease in 2016.
Until October 5, more than 14 thousand suspected cases had been registered, Of which 376 were confirmed in eight countries, the majority in the United States, Canada and Argentina. The majority are imported cases.
The PAHO report says that children between 1 and 9 years old, as well as adults between 20 and 29 years old, are the most affected groups. Six out of ten of the confirmed cases were not vaccinated and in three out of ten the vaccination status was unknown.
In Guatemala, coverage of the first doses that protect against measles was 67 percent, while the booster dose was 58 percent.
Due to these low levels, the Ministry of Health implemented a vaccination campaign against the disease this year, which began on August 3 and extended until October 26. An additional dose was given to children between 2 and 5 years old, to reach the unvaccinated child population. ANDThe preliminary report indicates that one million 257 thousand 466 doses were appliedreaching national coverage of 89.98 percent.
Other vaccines
The massive vaccination day also included the application of doses against polio, since the levels have been low, for September the first and second injections were at 63 percent, and the boosters between 58 and 62 percent. Last August and September One million 257 thousand 995 additional doses were placed to reach 90.2 percent national coverage, according to previous data from the Ministry of Health.
BCG, which protects against severe forms of tuberculosis, is also at low levels, it was at 60 percent. The first doses against pneumococcus appear with 63 percent; the pentavalent is at 63 percent for the first two doses and the third at 61 percent; The two DPT vaccines – against diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus – were at 58 and 56 percent, respectively.
According to Sandoval, “it is worrying and risky for the country to have low vaccine coverage; it is necessary to take measures aimed at improving them and reaching levels that allow us herd immunity.”
The recently approved Vaccination Law can help improve vaccination levels in the country, believes Sandoval, since it not only requires the State of Guatemala to have the availability, adequate storage, security and administration of the vaccines but also seeks to guarantee voluntary access and free to safe vaccines for the entire population. In addition, it seeks to strengthen effective communication about the benefits, prevention of diseases and their complications or consequences due to its application.
The Ministry of Health points out that several factors influence the vaccination levels that have been achieved, such as the fact that to administer the vaccine it is necessary to have the consent and authorization of parents and when health personnel go from house to house looking for children to vaccinate. , parents are not always there, and caregivers cannot always authorize the application.
“Reluctance to vaccinate is an existing issue, greater in some Departmental Directorates of Health Services, especially in the interior of the country, because there is distrust of the vaccine due to the force taken by anti-vaccine groups during the covid pandemic. 19”, indicates the portfolio.
It emphasizes that vaccination is voluntary and that no one can be forced to receive or have their children immunized. Despite this, different strategies are being worked on to bring vaccines closer to the population.
Vaccination Woes in Guatemala: A Comedy of Errors
Well, well, well. Seven weeks to go until 2024, and what’s the state of childhood vaccinations in Guatemala? Who would’ve thought that aiming for 95 percent coverage would actually be a challenging task? Spoiler alert: they couldn’t even hit the 75 percent mark set for September. Now that’s a plot twist no one wanted! At this rate, it seems the only thing reaching 95 percent is my collection of dusty emblems from failed New Year’s resolutions!
The Numbers Game
Let’s break it down, shall we? The last report flaunted all vaccines below 70 percent. The Hepatitis B vaccine is trailing at a whopping 53 percent. Not to put too fine a point on it, but this is precisely how one invites a ticking health time bomb disguised as a little virus. You wouldn’t want to leave your baby in a room with a broken toy and hope for the best, would you?
Dr. Nancy Sandoval from the Guatemalan Association of Infectious Diseases (AGEI) has thrown on her best serious face and warned us about the risks. Speaking of which, the fact that Hepatitis B and C rack up 3,500 deaths per day globally should put a frown on even the most optimistic clown’s face! And here we thought “live and let live” applied only to birthday parties.
Global Disappointment
This isn’t just a Guatemala thing. No, no! It’s like a worldwide dance party of ineptitude: one in four kids globally is missing essential vaccines! Cue the dramatic music — this is the largest decline in a decade, and it’s leading to a catastrophic sequel of vaccine-preventable illnesses. The only thing we’re successfully preventing is good judgment!
And don’t get me started on the rise of measles and polio! If there was an award for bad timing, these diseases would take home the golden statuette, standing next to the finest strains of disco fever. Measles is back, loud and proud, thanks to a record-breaking number of unvaccinated individuals. There were more 14,000 suspected cases in the Americas alone. So much for being certified free in 2016 — looks like they threw a boomerang party and forgot to keep track of their guests!
We’ve Got a Campaign!
Our dear Ministry of Health has put their thinking hats on and launched a vaccination campaign, running from August to October. They managed to apply over one million doses of measles vaccines. Hats off to them for that and thank the heavens we’ve got some action here! Coverage nudged up to 89.98 percent. I mean, unless that last one million doses went to the local petting zoo, we might actually be on the right track!
The Struggle to Vaccinate
Even with that campaign, there’s still chatter about the challenges. Parents have to consent — I know, shocking! Sometimes, when healthy folks are sent into neighborhoods, the guardians of the young ones are mysteriously absent. They must be holding court in some alternate universe where they debate the pros and cons of vaccination while watching reruns of Breaking Bad!
Furthermore, we’ve stumbled upon the burgeoning influence of anti-vaccine groups that have exploited fears and doubts, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. It would appear that fear spreads faster than any virus. All the while, health officials must delicately balance reality and “vaccine hesitancy” — quite the circus act.
The Bright Side of the Drama
But hold up! It’s not all doom and gloom. There’s still hope with a recently approved Vaccination Law that plans to bolster availability and access to vaccines, reassuring citizens that childhood immunization isn’t a distant fantasy. Can we get a round of applause? Well, at least until you remember your child still needs to roll up their sleeve!
In conclusion, folks, while Guatemala wrestles with its vaccination figures like it’s auditioning for a slapstick comedy, a concerted push could pave the way for better health outcomes. Vaccination? It’s not just essential; it’s a ticket to a happier, healthier tomorrow! And who wouldn’t want that?
, that’s a significant number, right? But let’s not pop the confetti just yet—89.98 percent still isn’t quite the 95 percent target we’re aiming for.
More Vaccines, More Problems
And it’s not just measles; the campaign also targeted polio. The stats for polio are disheartening, with only around 63 percent vaccination coverage for the initial doses and slightly better for boosters at about 90.2 percent due to these campaigns. Meanwhile, other vital vaccines are lagging behind too. BCG, which protects against severe tuberculosis, is limping along at 60 percent, while the pneumococcus vaccine is stuck at 63 percent. The DPT vaccines? Languishing at 58 and 56 percent respectively.
The Reluctant Public
So what’s the hold-up? Our friends at the Ministry of Health reveal that parents might be a little slow on the uptake when it comes to giving that much-needed consent. I mean, who hasn’t been busy binge-watching their favorite show instead of signing health forms? On top of that, the distrust sowed by anti-vaccine rhetoric during the COVID-19 pandemic has created a climate where getting a simple vaccine feels like a daunting task for some. It’s like trying to get everyone to agree on a pizza topping—no easy feat!
The Silver Lining: A New Law
But wait! There’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The newly passed Vaccination Law is here to save the day. This legislation is designed to ensure that everyone in Guatemala has access to safe, free vaccines and that these vaccines are stored and administered properly. It also promotes better communication about the benefits of vaccination. It’s a proactive step toward rebuilding trust and increasing coverage. Who knows, maybe it’ll turn us around and finally hit that elusive 95 percent mark!
The Final Word
As we inch closer to 2024, it’s clear that the road to adequate vaccination coverage in Guatemala is riddled with bumps, detours, and unexpected potholes. But with strategic action, awareness campaigns, and maybe a little bit of elbow grease, there’s hope yet to turn the tide before this comedy of errors becomes a tragedy. Surely, we’ll want to put away the confetti for a victory rather than the usual “oops, better luck next year”!