Cape Verde Maternal Vaccination Rates Plummet: Health Threat
Cape Verde is facing a “serious threat” to maternal and child health due to a sharp decline in vaccination rates for pregnant women, according to a new report by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). While the archipelago has maintained high immunization rates for infants, the protection of expectant mothers against tetanus and diphtheria is falling dangerously short of international targets.
A Dangerous Downward Trend
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) statistical report reveals that vaccination coverage for pregnant women is not only low but is trending downward. Public health experts warn that this gap significantly increases the risk of neonatal and maternal tetanus, a preventable but potentially fatal condition.
The data paints a concerning picture of declining coverage between 2018 and 2023:
- First dose (Td1): Dropped from 34.3% to 25.2%, a loss of over 9 percentage points.
- Second dose (Td2): Fell from 29.8% to 22%.
- Follow-up doses: Third and fourth doses also saw declines, leaving a vast majority of pregnant women unprotected.
These figures are “far below generally recommended public health targets,” the report notes, highlighting a critical vulnerability in the nation’s healthcare system.
Success for Infants, Struggles for Mothers
The report highlights a striking contrast in the country’s immunization efforts. While pregnant women are falling through the cracks, Cape Verde has been remarkably successful in protecting its youngest citizens. Between 2018 and 2022, vaccination coverage for children under the age of one consistently remained above 94%.
INE researchers noted that while the country “possesses a solid foundation” for its immunization programs, the disparity between infant and maternal care requires urgent intervention and “continuous monitoring” to prevent further instability.
Broader Progress on UN Development Goals
The vaccination data is part of the seventh statistical report on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of 17 global objectives aimed at ending poverty and ensuring health and prosperity by 2030.
Despite the setbacks in maternal health, the report offered some positive economic news. The proportion of Cape Verdeans living below the international poverty line has been halved, dropping from 4.6% in 2015 to 2.3% in 2022. However, health officials stress that economic gains cannot replace the need for robust clinical care, specifically regarding the first three UN goals: poverty eradication, zero hunger, and ensuring good health and well-being for all.
Image: Pexels – SHVETS production
