Saint Vincent and the Grenadines rolls out two new vaccines to protect young children

In a major step forward for child health, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has introduced two new vaccines into its national immunisation schedule — a move set to save lives and protect the youngest children from deadly diseases. With support from UNICEF and funding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment is now offering pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines to children under one year of age.

These vaccines play a critical role in preventing some of the most severe illnesses affecting young children. The pneumococcal vaccine helps guard against infections such as pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis. The rotavirus vaccine protects children from severe diarrhoea, a major cause of illness and death among children under five.

To support this, more than 150 community nurses and doctors across the country have been trained in behaviour change communication. The training, delivered with support from UNICEF and funded by Gavi, is designed to help healthcare workers engage more effectively with parents and caregivers.

Healthcare workers learned how to better understand the reasons behind vaccine hesitancy, how to communicate health risks clearly and responsibly, and how to counter misinformation and rumours. At the heart of the training is a focus on empathy, active listening, and respectful dialogue — all essential for fostering strong relationships between families and the health system.

“Healthcare workers are among the most trusted persons in a child’s development,” said Dr Lisa McClean Trotman, UNICEF Social Behaviour Change Specialist. “By investing in their ability to communicate with compassion and clarity, we’re helping to ensure that more children are vaccinated, more parents trust the process, and communities are better protected.”

This initiative forms part of UNICEF’s broader commitment to supporting governments and communities in protecting children’s rights, including the right to survive, thrive and access essential services like healthcare. When vaccine coverage improves, not only are individual children protected, but entire communities benefit through herd immunity, which is particularly vital for those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons.

By combining the introduction of life-saving vaccines with strengthened communication at all levels, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is laying the groundwork for a more resilient and responsive health system. It is a step forward for public health, and a promise of a healthier future — for every child.