UNICEF: Tetanus vaccination campaign in Côte d'Ivoire

DJAN, Côte d'Ivoire, 17 June 2009 Sabra Seydou arrived at the Abobo Kennedy Clinic in Abidjan with just minutes to spare before giving birth. It was only her second visit to the clinic since the beginning of her pregnancy, as she could not afford all of the standard prenatal tests or consultations.

VIDEO: Watch now

She did, however, receive a first vaccination against tetanus, provided free by the government of Côte d'Ivoire. But Ms. Seydou had not yet received her scheduled second vaccination, which would have ensured immunity for herself and her unborn child against the deadly bacteria.

"We will prescribe her a tetanus serum, which will protect her and the child," explained midwife Bernadette Kah. "Then, the mother will also have another vaccination."

Tetanus is responsible for seven per cent of neonatal deaths worldwide. Yet routine tetanus vaccination is still low in Côte d'Ivoire.

To address this issue, the Government of Côte d'Ivoire, with the support of UNICEF and other international partners, is holding a three-phase vaccination campaign throughout the country. The campaign is offering free tetanus vaccinations to over five million women.

To read the full story, visit http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/cotedivoire_50022.html

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• UNICEF
• Côte
• d'Ivoire
• Ivory
• Coast
• tetanus
• vaccination
• infant
• mortality

[zellazoom]

I am sorry that the quality of this video is so shaky, because it distracts the viewer from a very important message.  Maternal and neonatal tetanus must be eliminated to save these babies from a horrible death.