Pandemic Disrupted Childhood Vaccinations in Belize, Efforts Underway to Catch Up

The Ministry of Health and Wellness says that Belize traditionally enjoyed high vaccination rates for children, but that all changed when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. With lockdowns and movement restrictions, parents were not making it to the clinic to get their children shots for diseases such as measles, rubella and polio. Maternal and Child Health Advisor for the Ministry Dr. Natalia Beer says that that the Ministry is working hard to get vaccination rates back to pre-pandemic levels.

Dr. Beer noted that some parents are still expressing fear in taking children to health facilities and that the ministry has been trying to make vaccines more available at the community level. She stressed that vaccination safeguards children from serious illnesses and encourages parents to get their children up to date with their shots.