A young mother’s promise to give her son the best chance in life

Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) — Twenty year old Rita is with her four month old son in Chuuk State hospital, Wena. Today her son is receiving rotavirus, Hib and PCV13 vaccinations. He is one of many children who will be immunised during the week.

Globally, one third of deaths among children under five are preventable by vaccine. UNICEF Pacific and its partners are working to improve vaccination coverage across FSM so that children’s lives are protected.

Many families in Chuuk State are economically and socially vulnerable. The high incidence of infectious diseases in FSM are linked to poor immunisation coverage. UNICEF supported vaccination programmes have contributed to reducing these preventable illnesses and giving children the best shot at life. Rita is one of many mothers who come every week, to Chuuk State hospital to vaccinate their child.

“It’s the second time I have come to the hospital. I got married in 2012 and this is my second child. I have another child, a daughter, Meketria, she is two years old. I graduated from high school in 2013, my husband works in Hawaii to provide for the family because it is hard to find a good job in Chuuk,” says Rita.

After Typhoon Maysak in March 2015, inadequate housing, contaminated water and shortage of food have made families like Rita’s more susceptible to infectious diseases.

“It is very important [to vaccinate] especially now after the typhoon,” say Rita. “We are very lucky our house was not damaged by Typhoon Maysak. Many houses around were damaged and some families lost their homes.”

The National Immunization Program in FSM receives support from UNICEF Pacific and its partners. UNICEF helps by providing vaccines, educating families, developing standards and producing vital reports and statistics. Polio, tetanus and diphtheria, once major causes of child-hood deaths and illness, have now dramatically decreased and under FSM law, all children must now be immunised before enrolling in school.

Although the rate of immunisation is sporadic and varies widely in FSM, more parents like Rita are learning the importance of vaccinating their children.

“I want my kids to grow up healthy, when I came first to the hospital during prenatal check ups, doctors told me I should ensure my children are vaccinated. I know vaccines will help prevent my baby from disease,” explains Rita.

By Vlad Sokhin