The Manager of Family Health at the Department of Public Health, Ben John Taura, has stressed the importance of childhood vaccination in protecting children from life-threatening diseases.

Speaking during Day 2 of Vanuatu National Health Week, Mr. Taura said vaccines play a critical role in preventing illnesses like diarrhoea and respiratory infections—two of the leading causes of child deaths across the Pacific and the world.

“Vaccines protect children from serious illnesses like diarrhoea and respiratory infections, which are among the leading causes of child mortality in the Pacific and around the world,” he said. “These vaccines are vital to reducing the risk of death among children.”

He added that the vaccines provided by the Ministry of Health are safe, effective, and essential for a child’s health and wellbeing.

Mr. Taura also spoke about family planning, saying the decision to use contraceptives rests with each individual or couple.

“It’s not about stopping women from having children,” he said. “It gives mothers time to recover between pregnancies, and our role as a health department is to provide access to these services and allow families to make informed choices.”

Day 2 of Health Week focused on Family Health and included a youth debate, panel discussions on maternal and child health, and free health checks and awareness activities at Saralana Park in Port Vila.

National Health Week continues until Friday under the theme “Mi Helti, Mi Hapi.”