This archive report was first published on 12 May 2020.
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, it's easy to overlook the impact of the crisis on other vital health issues. But for mothers like me, the consequences of delayed vaccinations are a harsh reality.
Eighteen years ago, I waited anxiously in a queue at a Nairobi health clinic for my first-born to receive her routine vaccinations. I wanted her to be protected against diseases like polio, tetanus, and whooping cough. Little did I know that I was safeguarding her future options and opportunities.
Fast forward to her 18th birthday, when she was invited to enroll in a South African institution of higher learning. They required not only her academic certificates but also her immunization certificate. Without that immunization card, she wouldn't have been admitted, and her life would have taken a different course.
As a mother, I would do it all over again. In fact, I've already done so with my youngest daughter, who is seven. But I'm concerned that once the pandemic is contained, we'll go back to a healthcare system that has lost the precious gains from vaccines.
While we wait for a COVID-19 vaccine, which may be 12-18 months away, let's not forget the importance of routine vaccinations. Many existing vaccines cannot wait, and our children's health and future opportunities depend on it.
