By Eddah Waithaka
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of vaccination efforts, prompting Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to organize the Paediatric Days 2024 conference on 3rd May in Nairobi to focus on the critical need for catch-up immunization.
The conference focused on tackling setbacks in immunization coverage, particularly against preventable diseases such as measles and diphtheria, which have seen an alarming resurgence in the wake of the pandemic.
The impact of disrupted health services and vaccine distribution during the pandemic has been profound, exacerbating outbreaks of diseases that were once under control.
Late responses to outbreaks have become alarmingly common, leading to tragic loss of life, with children bearing the brunt of these preventable diseases.
Experts at the MSF conference call for a concerted effort to maximise opportunities for catch-up immunisation, recognising the vulnerability of children to vaccine-preventable diseases.
They aim to close gaps in immunisation coverage and prevent further loss of life through innovative strategies and collaborative partnerships.
Key messages from the conference included the urgent need to prioritise catch-up vaccination campaigns to prevent further outbreaks and save lives, especially among vulnerable groups. The importance of community engagement and education was also highlighted as a means of building confidence in vaccines, addressing misinformation and ultimately increasing vaccine uptake.
Paul Wamai, a respected humanitarian leader in the field, was present at the event. Drawing on his wealth of experience, Wamai delved into the complex socio-political issues that exacerbate the challenges faced by communities.
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He acknowledged the myriad obstacles, including logistical constraints, security risks and resource limitations, that often hamper efforts to deliver aid effectively.
Despite these challenges, he was optimistic about the resilience and determination of MSF teams and partners to overcome obstacles and make a meaningful impact on the lives of those most in need.
A key theme of the event was prioritizing children and improving the lives of vulnerable groups. Wamai underlined MSF’s unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those most in need, highlighting the organisation’s ongoing partnerships with organisations such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the World Health Organization (WHO).
These partnerships play a critical role in providing essential health services and immunisation to marginalized communities across the region, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
Throughout the event, participants had the opportunity to take part in panel discussions, workshops and interactive sessions led by experts in various fields related to humanitarian action.
MSF teams working in East Africa shared insights from their frontline experiences, providing valuable context and highlighting the urgency of addressing issues such as access to health care, nutrition and sanitation in underserved communities.
As well as providing catch-up immunisation and protecting the health and well-being of children worldwide in the post-COVID-19 era, the event also focused on addressing the underlying factors that contribute to humanitarian crises in East Africa. Wamai and other speakers highlighted the complex socio-political dynamics of conflict, displacement and poverty that exacerbate the difficulties faced by communities in the region.
They stressed the importance of a holistic approach to humanitarian action, taking into account the underlying structural factors that contribute to vulnerability and inequality.
Lastly, MSF Paediatric Days 2024 conference emphasized the significance in vaccines, combating misinformation, and boosting vaccination rates. It calls for renewed dedication to seizing catch-up vaccination chances and protecting global children’s health and welfare in the postOVID-19 era.
