Suriname is preparing to include the pneumococcal vaccine in the national vaccination programme. The Ministry of Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Arbeid has discussed the rollout with vaccination alliance Gavi and UN partners. The vaccine is intended to protect young children against serious infections, including pneumonia and meningitis.
Vaccination alliance Gavi will, according to the ministry, cover 50 percent of the introduction costs. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF are also involved in the preparations.
The plans involve more than the procurement of the vaccine. Suriname also wants to improve the storage and transport of vaccines, including by strengthening cooling facilities and logistics. This should help make vaccines available in the interior as well.
A technical team is working on the final project proposal, which must be submitted to an independent Gavi review committee in Geneva by the end of October at the latest. Funding has therefore not yet been fully secured. The Ministry of Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Arbeid will consult with the Ministry of Financiën in the coming weeks on the financial schedule and Suriname’s contribution.
Minister André Misiekaba describes vaccination as an investment in the country’s future. By preventing diseases, medical costs can also be saved in the long term, according to him.
