Hope on the Frontline

Morino still remembers the sound that filled the clinic in Port Vila during the height of the whooping cough crisis.

“Some days, we had more than 100 children coming through,” he recalls. “Parents were scared. They just wanted to know: Is my child safe?”

Morino has been a registered nurse in Maternal Child Health with Shefa Health since 2007. Originally from Malekula, he began his nursing career in 2004 in Santo after graduating, then moved to Port Vila two years later. Nearly two decades on, he has seen outbreaks come and go but the pertussis surge from July to October 2025 tested him and his colleagues in ways he will never forget.

When the first cases of whooping cough were reported in Tanna, Shefa Health acted fast. Even before a confirmed case reached Efate, Morino’s team began pushing vaccination outreach across Port Vila. They went from community to community, explaining the danger of pertussis and checking children’s records, determined to stay one step ahead of the disease.

“We didn’t wait,” Morino says with quiet pride. “We knew vaccination was the key, so we focused on prevention.”

Then the fear arrived. News of the first confirmed case in Shefa province spread quickly, and parents flooded the Maternal Child Health clinic. Some rushed in with unvaccinated children; others came even though their children were already protected, desperate for reassurance. With just one midwife, one nurse aide, and two registered nurses on duty, the pressure was immense.

Throughout the outbreak, vaccines supported by the Japan Committee, Vaccines for the World's Children made a critical difference. There were no stock shortages, allowing Shefa Health to run outreach campaigns five days a week while another team managed the clinic. Using children’s health books, Morino and his colleagues identified priority areas where vaccinations were delayed and went door-to-door when necessary.

“Because we had records, we knew exactly where to go,” Morino explains. “And because we had vaccines, we could act immediately.”

The community response shifted as information spread. Parents asked questions, listened, and lined up to protect their children. While suspected cases were referred to the Vanuatu National Hospital, the focus in Maternal Child Health remained clear: vaccinate, educate, and prevent severe illness before it starts.

Challenges persisted. Morino often found himself speaking with chiefs, youth leaders, and families, patiently explaining that vaccines are safe and lifesaving.

“It’s not just about giving an injection,” he says. “It’s about trust.”

Looking back, Morino believes the outbreak reinforced a vital lesson for Vanuatu’s health system: preparedness and prevention through vaccination save lives. Routine immunisation, strong records, and community engagement are what made the difference.  In 2025 in Shefa, Penta 1 coverage was recorded at 86%, Penta 2 was 79% and Penta 3 was 75%. Morino is hopeful that they can work closely with parents to increase the coverage in 2026.

“Every child deserves to be protected,” he says firmly. “Vaccination gives them a healthier future.”

As the clinic returns to a steadier rhythm, the memory of those crowded days remains along with a sense of pride. For Morino, the crisis was exhausting, but it reaffirmed his calling.

To the Japan Committee, Vaccines for the World's Children and partners who supported the response, his message is simple and heartfelt: “Thank you for standing with us. Because of this support, we could protect our children. Let’s continue working together; their lives depend on it.”