Three vaccines to save twins – Haiti Blog

Blog story from Yolanda Romero Torrecilla, UNICEF communications specialist currently in Haiti.

Sandrine and Sandra are twins, peaceful in their mother’s arms. Each has just been vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus and pertusis (DPT) in an encampment set up on the patches of grass and dirt of the Adventist University of Haiti in Port-au-Prince.

UNICEF, with the Health Ministry, and other partners is running a vaccination campaign for up to 600,000 against DPT, measles and rubella. Measles is deadly.

Maya van den Ent, a UNICEF health Specialist in Haiti told me that measles causes a breakdown of the immune system after 10 days, two weeks after infection.

From 2001 onwards, measles was eradicated in Central America and the Caribbean although in Haiti, only 50 per cent of the population is vaccinated. The arrival of aid workers has brought the risk of illness. It only takes one measles case to appear in a child and it can spreads like wildfire.

In 2006, Rubella was also eradicated. Yet the risk of new infections, particularly for pregnant women, remains alarming. An infected mother can transmit the illness to her baby, causing birth defects.

Between 50 and 80 deaths last year due to diphtheria were registered. The earthquake has deeply worsened the situation. That is why UNICEF and its partners are working around the clock to vaccinate children under 7 nationwide. So far, more 60,000 children have received their jabs.

In one suburb of Port-au-Prince, 350 teams of 7 people are at work during this first phase of the campaign. So far, 1000 doses of vaccines have been dispensed there.

Syndie Lindor lost her hand during the aftermath of the earthquake. When she came to be vaccinated, she has a sad look, but has the capacity to struggle on. When she receives her dose, she turns up her face, trying to avoid the pain.

To support UNICEF’s disaster relief efforts for children, please donate online