Port-au-Prince, September 21, 2026 (PAHO) – More than 100,000 children were vaccinated in Haiti following a campaign conducted by the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP), with support from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), from July 27 to August 1 in the Centre and Artibonite departments, and from August 11 to 18 in the West department. The campaign provided several essential vaccines that protect against vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio, measles-rubella, and diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) to children aged 0 to 5 years who had not received any vaccine doses or had not completed their vaccination schedule. In addition, children received vitamin A supplementation to prevent deficiencies that can cause vision problems and weaken the immune system, as well as deworming treatment with albendazole to eliminate intestinal parasites, which are common in areas with limited access to safe drinking water and can lead to anemia and growth delays. Implemented by teams of vaccinators, nurses, and community health workers, the campaign reached tens of thousands of children, including those living in areas particularly affected by the security and humanitarian crisis.
A Campaign Carried Out Despite Significant Field Challenges
In the Centre and Artibonite departments, vaccination teams traveled through communities by motorcycle and on foot to reach children in the most remote areas. In total, nearly 35,000 children were vaccinated against polio and almost 24,000 against measles-rubella. Faced with roads damaged by adverse weather and a challenging security environment, particularly in Lascahobas and Belladère, the 305 vaccinators mobilized for the campaign adapted their strategies. Motorized tricycles were used to reach inaccessible areas, while religious leaders helped disseminate awareness messages directly in places of worship. Special attention was also given to displaced populations, with vaccination coverage provided at approximately twenty sites hosting internally displaced persons in the Artibonite and Centre departments.
In the West department, the campaign was carried out in ten municipalities, including Delmas, Pétion-Ville, and Port-au-Prince, many of which are among the country’s most densely populated areas and have been heavily affected by insecurity. There, nearly 95,000 children were vaccinated against polio, while 95,719 received the measles-rubella vaccine. In addition, 53,461 children received vitamin A supplementation and deworming treatment.
“When I heard through a loudspeaker vehicle that the vaccination team would be coming near my home in Delmas 33, I took the opportunity to have my son vaccinated. He developed a slight fever afterward. I was not worried because the vaccinators had already reassured me that fever is a normal reaction after vaccination, and it passed quickly. Today, I am happy because I know he is well protected,” said the mother of 4-year-old Rayan.
Across the three departments, the campaign resulted in the vaccination of 130,018 children against polio and 119,803 children against measles-rubella. In addition, 41,640 children received a DTP booster dose, 70,865 received vitamin A supplementation, and 70,129 were dewormed.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Haiti supports this initiative through funding from the Haiti Humanitarian Fund, which aims to ensure timely access to essential health services for Haitian populations facing urgent humanitarian needs.
