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Fear of COVID-19 Stopping Childhood Vaccinations in Cameroon

Moki Edwin Kindzeka

   YAOUNDE - Cameroon's medical authorities say over 200,000 children have
   not received routine'¯vaccinations on schedule since March, when the
   country had its first case of COVID-19.'¯Parents are refusing to take
   their kids to hospitals'¯because they fear they'¯may be infected with
   the virus, which has spread to nearly 17,000 people and caused nearly
   400 deaths.'¯Doctors are warning that without the vaccinations,
   children in Cameroon risk preventable diseases such as diphtheria, the
   measles, and tetanus.

   A 4-month-old baby cries as she receives her second polio'¯vaccine at
   the Chantal Biya Foundation Hospital in Cameroon's capital Yaounde.

   Elizabeth Mbungong, 27, says she is getting her baby's booster shot
   nearly three months late because she was scared of going to the
   hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

   "I gave birth in the month of March and the first vaccine was given to
   the baby against Tetanus. They gave me another rendezvous
   [appointment]in the month of April. I did not respect [the
   appointment]because I was afraid of the coronavirus," she said.

   Mbungong said after she watched a TV program on the dangers of not
   vaccinating children, she decided that going to the hospital was worth
   the risk.

   Pediatrician Clemence Vougmo says many parents are letting fear of the
   virus prevent them from getting their children vaccinated.

   She says Chantal Biya Foundation Hospital should have had 2,300
   children for routine vaccinations since March. But they have seen only
   about half the children.

   Cameroon's medical officials say the problem has been widespread during
   the pandemic.

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