Vaccine shortage

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Wednesday October 16th, 2013

 A SHORTAGE of vaccines in Madang is exposing babies less than 10 months old to various diseases, a Modilon Hospital staff said.

Sr Karen Demok, who is in charge of the children’s clinic, said the clinic had run out of Pentavalent for treating coughs, tetanus, diphtheria, sore throats and oral polio vaccines. 

“We are hoping there won’t be a cough outbreak when we do not have the required vaccines to protect and treat infants,” Demok said.

“Because the stock ran out in July, all babies born after that had not been immunised,” she said, adding that measles vaccines for babies six and nine months old ran out of stock last Friday. 

Madang health director Markus Kachau said the health office had placed orders for the new stock and was waiting to receive supplies. 

However, he said the office had enough stock of measles and tetanus toxoid and did not know why the clinic did not have any.