Low vaccination coverage and an increased risk of an epidemic in Mayotte

Since 2017, Mayotte has been experiencing a pertussis epidemic that has resulted in the deaths of two infants. Local and national health authorities have conducted several exploratory missions to assess vaccination coverage among children in Mayotte. These missions have revealed that some children are not sufficiently protected against serious vaccine-preventable diseases, which could lead to a resurgence of the epidemic.The Ministry of Solidarity and Health has therefore tasked Santé publique France with organizing a large-scale vaccination campaign involving the Health Reserve and local stakeholders. The vaccination campaign for children aged 0 to 6 begins on May 22, 2018, and will run for six weeks.

Up to 40,000 children aged 0 to 6 vaccinated from May 22 to June 30, 2018

The vaccination campaign for children aged 0 to 6 aims to vaccinate 40,000 children. It is being conducted jointly by the Indian Ocean Regional Health Agency (ARS) and the Mayotte Island Delegation in collaboration with the Departmental Council, the PMI, and the Mayotte Hospital Center, and in coordination with the Prefecture and Santé publique France. It requires:

• The establishment of 39 temporary vaccination centers (2 health clinics, 6 PMI branches, 12 Youth and Culture Centers, 9 schools, and 10 public facilities under the jurisdiction of local municipalities). This distribution covers more than half of the island’s municipalities and facilitates access for all residents. Each week, 8 centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a period of 2 to 3 days. Vaccination will be free for all children.

• The mobilization of over 100 reservists (doctors, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, midwives, nurses) to vaccinate children.

• The delivery and administration of nearly 100,000 vaccine doses (MMR—measles, mumps, rubella—; Infarix Hexa—diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, polio, and Haemophilus infections—; pneumococcal).

The PMI centers in Mayotte will continue to monitor children’s vaccination status after the operation.

The Health Reserve: Healthcare Professionals Ready to Respond

Led by Santé publique France, the Health Reserve is a government mechanism established under the Public Health Code. It is composed of more than 2,000 volunteer healthcare professionals. Mobilized by the Ministry of Health or at the request of a regional health agency, the Health Reserve is called upon to intervene when a public health situation requires human resources support, particularly to reinforce healthcare provision but also to contribute to the implementation of preventive measures.

The Pharmaceutical Agency, the government’s strategic stockpile of medicines and health products

Its role is to procure, store, and, when necessary, organize the rapid delivery of the medicines and health products needed to protect the population in the event of a serious health crisis.