Venezuela's vaccination crisis is growing, putting the country among the world’s worst for inoculating children, an AP analysis shows. Many kids lack several of the 10 vaccines recommended by 12 months of age.
“In situations of conflict, you often see a variety of different parties using the provision of health services as a way of generating favor,” said Katherine Bliss, director of the Immunizations and Health Systems Resilience program at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. “That may also be manifested in a lack of trust in public authorities and a lack of trust in public programs, like vaccination programs.
The Venezuelan government did not respond to multiple inquiries from AP about the vaccine crisis — including the country’s shortage of shots, upcoming orders and vaccination needs, sources of vaccine doses, and its debt or payments.For Artemis Parra, the two vaccinations still missing from her record after the clinic visit were for rotavirus, which causes severe diarrhea and vomiting, and pneumococcal disease, which is responsible for pneumonia and other infections.
The clinic was set up as part of a vaccination campaign to get measles, rubella and polio shots in children’s arms. Vaccines began arriving in early June through theFor years, Venezuela’s government traditionally bought most of its supply through PAHO’sfor Access to Vaccines. The program consolidates demand from participating countries and leverages purchasing power for lower prices.
In line, Campos told other parents one way to get vaccines not available at the clinic: Travel to Colombia. It’s a journey of more than 500 miles from Caracas, Venezuela’s capital. For those fortunate enough to have a car, the trip takes at least 13 hours, thanks to poor road conditions and military checkpoints. A bus trip is longer.
In 2017, Venezuela purchased 33 million doses, and that increased to 43 million in 2018, according to a PAHO report. In 2019, with outstanding arrears, the government bought no doses — only a smaller number of syringes, likely to administer any vaccines remaining from prior orders or humanitarian aid.
Guaido’s opposition faction didn’t respond to inquiries from AP about vaccine payments and any use of frozen assets. Public health officials say donations aren’t enough to address Venezuela’s overall vaccination issues. And the higher price of crucial rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines means groups won’t donate them.
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