Port-au-Prince clinics now offer vital weekend vaccination hours

In Port-au-Prince, weekend clinic hours are helping working parents get their children vaccinated. Many parents, like Berger Mimose, struggle to find time during the week due to work commitments. This makes it hard for them to visit health centers for vaccinations. To address this issue, the Haiti Urban Immunization project started extending clinic hours to weekends in 2017. With 21 health centers participating, vaccination rates have improved significantly. For example, in Cité Soleil, the number of children vaccinated with the Penta 3 vaccine grew from 3,167 in 2017 to over 5,400 in 2023. Parents, caregivers, and health workers have shared positive experiences with the new hours. Health workers have noticed that families can now bring their children for vaccinations without worrying about missing work. Jacqueline François, a nurse at a health center, noted that parents feel excited to finally have access to immunization services on weekends. Community leaders are also promoting the initiative by spreading the word and encouraging families to get vaccinated. One leader, Jean Anilus, mentioned that they even recognize parents who ensure their children receive all their vaccines. This community support has made a significant difference in vaccination coverage. The weekend service changes are not just a convenience. They provide critical access to health care for children who need vaccinations. The Ministry of Health and JSI plan to continue this initiative to reach even more children and improve health outcomes in the community.