Ever since at least the 18th Century, mankind has learned the benefits of vaccination to prevent diseases. The scourge of polio, whooping cough, measles, mumps, chicken pox and even yellow fever have all but been eliminated through the application of vaccines. In fact, the dreaded and deadly smallpox virus has been eliminated from humans. Worldwide vaccination wiped it out with the last known case in Ethiopia over 40 years ago.
However, according to the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) at least 15% of Dominican children have not received what is now called the “normal” course of vaccinations during their early years. The sad part, according to Unicef leaders is that these vaccines are free, of high quality, and save lives.
And the Dominican Republic is not alone. Throughout the region of Latin America and the Caribbean, there has been an 18% decline in child vaccinations. One can’t help but wonder if the recent Covid-19 pandemic had something to do with this decline in level of child vaccinations.
Dr. Rosa Elcarte, the Unicef representative in the Dominican Republic, noted that we are currently in the middle of the World Vaccination Week that kicked off last Thursday, 20 April 2023 in Jimani on the Haitian border.
Children can be taken to the nearest public health clinic and receive all of their vaccinations, especially young girls between the ages of 9 and 14, who can also obtain the vaccine against human papilloma and thus prevent cervical cancer later on in life. The vaccines are free and can save lives and suffering.
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El Caribe
24 April 2023