In the eastern part of Demoso Township, Karenni State, there has been a shortage of routine monthly vaccinations for children.
The shortage has already lasted for around five months. A field healthcare worker said that authorities are currently making efforts to resume regular vaccinations for children.
“Children have missed their monthly vaccinations for about four to five months. Each vaccine has its own specific schedule and type. If a child misses a dose, it can lead to negative consequences later. For example, diseases like polio or meningitis could occur if vaccinations are missed. However, authorities are trying to restore regular vaccination services in the eastern area. The main challenge is the difficulty of transporting the vaccines,” she said.
Due to the lack and shortage of vaccines in eastern Demoso, some parents had to travel to other areas to get their children vaccinated.
“The last time we went for vaccination here, the vaccines were unavailable and incomplete. So I had to take my child to Lawpita. Some of my children haven’t been vaccinated at all yet, so we had to travel as far as Loikaw for vaccinations,” one father explained.
Because of the shortage, families face difficulties traveling with young children, as well as security risks and transportation challenges.
Mothers are hoping that regular vaccination services will resume soon, while also worrying that their children may continue to miss essential immunizations.
Newborns and young children, from two months up to under two years old, are supposed to receive vaccines such as PCV (pneumonia), BCG, the five-in-one vaccine (covering diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B), oral polio drops, injectable polio vaccine, measles, and rubella vaccines.
