Overview:
The Ministry of Public Well being and Communication (MSPP) began a cholera vaccination marketing campaign within the Artibonite Division in December, giving about 200,000 pictures in two months.
GONAÏVES, Haiti — Well being authorities in Haiti’s Artibonite area launched a cholera vaccination marketing campaign on Dec. 19 throughout 5 municipalities to curb a rising outbreak of the waterborne illness. The marketing campaign aimed to vaccinate greater than 200,000 residents, and regardless of going through logistical challenges and vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation, officers say they’ve surpassed targets in a number of areas — marking a big public well being milestone.
Haiti has battled recurring cholera outbreaks for the reason that illness was launched in 2010, when UN peacekeepers have been linked to contaminated water sources. The ensuing epidemic killed 1000’s and overwhelmed the nation’s already fragile well being system. With instances now resurfacing in Artibonite — an space with ongoing sanitation points and restricted entry to scrub water — well being authorities raced to comprise the virus earlier than it may unfold extra broadly.
“We carried out this vaccination marketing campaign aspiring to fight this cholera outbreak, which represents a social hazard for the inhabitants,” stated Mercedes Philogène Joseph, the Ministry of Public Well being and Inhabitants (MSSPP) consultant within the Artibonite area and head of the vaccination marketing campaign.
MSPP launched the cholera vaccination marketing campaign in response to an outbreak detected within the Artibonite area’s municipalities resembling Gonaïves, Marmelade, Saint Michel de l’Attalaye, Marchand Dessalines and Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite.
In Gonaïves alone, well being officers recorded 12 instances between Dec. 8 and 14. The quantity elevated to 18 instances from Dec. 15 to 21, and 17 extra instances from Dec. 29, 2024, to Jan. 4, 2025, in keeping with Joseph.
“We’re conscious that there was a communication downside throughout the inhabitants relating to the significance of this vaccination marketing campaign. We’ve different methods to vaccinate the inhabitants in opposition to cholera.”
Mercedes Philogène Joseph, the Ministry of Public Well being and Inhabitants (MSSPP) consultant within the Artibonite area and head of the vaccination marketing campaign
Regardless of the urgency, misinformation emerged halfway via the marketing campaign. With misinformation about vaccine security discouraging residents, particularly in Gonaives, from getting the shot, misinformation has develop into a serious impediment.
Misinformation fuels skepticism
In November 2024, following a screening, a number of instances of cholera have been reported within the municipalities focused which have been essentially the most affected by the epidemic. Well being officers began the cholera vaccination marketing campaign on Dec. 19 and two months later, the vaccine took off.
However whereas well being officers reported early successes – resembling exceeding vaccination targets in different areas- persuading all residents to get the vaccine stays a battle.
In February, Joseph acknowledged main challenges in Gonaives, the final municipality the place well being officers launched the marketing campaign. Joseph cited a lack of information amongst susceptible populations, a restricted marketing campaign timeline, and chronic vaccine hesitancy as main challenges.
“We’re conscious that there was a communication downside throughout the inhabitants relating to the significance of this vaccination marketing campaign. We’ve different methods to vaccinate the inhabitants in opposition to cholera.”
A month earlier than, a viral social media marketing campaign has unfold conspiracy theories, together with claims that the vaccine is a part of a macabre plan to harm residents. Some messages allege the vaccine may be deadly, discouraging many from getting the shot.
“I’m not accessible to be vaccinated in opposition to cholera. I’ve numerous issues to do; I can’t die in the present day or tomorrow,” Ms. Renette Dorvilus from Gonaives stated.
Whereas there was no proof supporting these claims public well being officers acknowledge that distrust stays a critical barrier.
Vaccination milestones
On the finish of the marketing campaign, the Departmental Director of Well being of Artibonite, Dr. Henock Savain considers the vaccination marketing campaign successful, regardless of challenges, together with insecurity brought on by armed gangs. Resulting from security issues, just one communal part in Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite was capable of open vaccination stations. Nonetheless, well being officers arrange a number of vaccination factors throughout the division, notably in hospitals.
In Gonaïves, the place officers aimed to vaccinate 100,706 folks, the marketing campaign surpassed its objective, reaching 104,932 vaccinations.
Throughout 4 different municipalities, the marketing campaign additionally surpassed expectations:
- Marmelade: 12,937 folks vaccinated (goal: 9,093)
- Saint-Michel de l’Attalaye: 40,911 vaccinated (goal: 37,277)
- Marchand Dessalines: 63,160 vaccinated (goal: 64,312)
- Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite: 6,196 vaccinated (goal: 7,438)
This quantities to 227,536 pictures given throughout the 5 municipalities.
The vaccination marketing campaign was financed by the Pan American Well being Group (PAHO) and the World Well being Group (WHO) in collaboration with the Artibonite Sanitation Departmental Directorate (DSA).
