Mark of Protection
The nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign 2024 in Lao PDR, in action.
Vung Goh is a small village tucked away at the edge of Saravanh province, Lao PDR. Situated nearer to the Vietnamese border, the village acts as a passageway where culture and commerce are exchanged. But this exchange also carries a certain risk.
The recent surge in measles globally and in the region meant that there is a risk of the disease spreading across borders easily. With Lao PDR’s currently low immunity against the disease, it could only take a single case of measles to start a large-scale outbreak.
But it can also only take something as simple as a grandmother and her love for her grandchild to help us push back against this disease. Vor, 40, and her two year-old grandchild, Le, is a testament to this.
Ten years ago, Vor suddenly found herself unable to walk properly, falling prey to possibly another vaccine-preventable disease – polio. Her legs are now permanent locked in a crouching position. However, that did not stop her from bringing her grandchild to get vaccinated against measles and rubella.
Wading through the village path muddied by rain water, evidence of the rainy season’s arrival, Vor makes her way with Le in a sling to the village chief’s house where health workers have set up a makeshift vaccination spot. This is the third day of Lao PDR’s nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign.
Vor’s daughter and Le’s mother is off working hard in the cassava fields at the foot of a nearby mountain alongside her husband. The fields are quite far off and they had to leave early in the morning. As such, the only choice was for Vor to bring Le for vaccination.
I came (to the village chief’s house) because I heard the announcement about the vaccination through the village loudspeakers. I heard vaccines are good and will help keep children safe.
The vaccination process was quick, with the health team swiftly registering incoming children and administering the injection. Vor had to ask assistance from the village health volunteer and another nurse to hold down Le while she gets her injection. She stays by her grandchild’s side to comfort her and in a blink, the vaccination was over. Le’s pinky finger was marked with a pen, proof that she has already received her vaccination.
I also told others in the village to get their child vaccinated when I heard the announcement. The vaccine will help them.
With the vaccination done, Vor and Le waits at a designated spot as the health workers monitor any possible side-effects after Le’s vaccination. After a few minutes, Vor and Le is cleared to go home, just in time for lunch.
The nationwide measles-rubella vaccination campaign 2024 is spearheaded by the Ministry of Health of Lao PDR and supported by Gavi, the Australia Government, UNICEF, and WHO. The campaign will run from 20-31 May 2024 and over 630,000 children aged 9-59 months or under five years of age in Lao PDR will be provided with the measles-rubella vaccine during this campaign.
