Stronger and healthier islands: Reaching every child with life-saving vaccines

Every vaccine given is a step toward a brighter tomorrow—where children thrive, families flourish, and the Solomon Islands moves forward with confidence. The country, through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, took a bold step in this direction by investing in immunization through the development of the Solomon Islands National Immunization Strategy (NIS) 2026–2030.  

Conducted with support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, leaders from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), provincial health representatives, donors, and partners brainstormed for three days to advance the strategy, which aims to address rising numbers of unvaccinated children, strengthen immunization systems, and ensure every child is protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.


WHO Technical Officer for Immunization Dr SweetC Alipon (left) with MHMS National EPI Coordinator Ms Jennifer Anga. Photo: WHO/Ruel Serrano

Addressing the participants, Dr Nemia Bainivalu, MHMS Deputy Secretary for Health Improvement, said: “Immunization has always been one of the most effective, life-saving, and cost-effective public health interventions we have. Yet sustaining high coverage, reaching the unreached, and protecting our population, especially our children, requires continued partnership, innovation, and strong coordination. Your presence here reflects that shared responsibility.” 

Data from 2022-2024 show an increasing number of zero-dose and under-vaccinated children (children who missed their first dose of the pentavalent vaccine, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

First-dose measles coverage has declined across most provinces from 2022 to 2024, below the WHO-recommended 95% threshold to avoid outbreaks. Protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases through life-saving vaccines delivers a high return on investment. The economic burden of an unimmunized child ranges from USD 800 to USD 1,400 in low- and middle-income countries such as Solomon Islands.

The consultation identified several barriers to immunization, including:

• Limited domestic funding and high dependence on donor support

• Gaps in policy, operational planning, and coordination at national and provincial levels

• Human resource shortages, with many clinics in the provinces staffed by only one health worker

• Cold chain equipment breakdowns

• Delayed data reporting, suboptimal data quality affecting planning and monitoring

• Gaps in community awareness and communication, leading to missed opportunities for vaccination and high default rates, especially for measles


WHO Representative in Solomon Islands Dr Howard Sobel shared stories of personally witnessing the life-saving power of vaccines in the various countries he’s served in. Photo: WHO/Ruel Serrano

The Solomon Islands’ immunization program is entering a critical phase. While Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, continues to provide support, the country is now in the Preparatory Transition Phase, requiring increased domestic financing and more substantial national ownership. The new National Immunization Strategy (NIS) 2026–2030 will focus on building resilient systems, ensuring equitable access, and integrating immunization into broader health sector planning.

Strategic Priorities for 2026–2030

The new NIS is aligned with the Immunization Agenda 2030 and focuses on:

• Reducing the number of zero-dose children by 50%

• Achieving at least 90% coverage for all essential childhood vaccines

• Strengthening domestic financing and national ownership of the immunization program

• Improving vaccine supply chains, cold chain management, and waste disposal

• Enhancing health worker training, supportive supervision, and community engagement

• Integrating immunization with other health services and improving data quality for decision-making

“When I was last living in this country, I saw women walking for three days just to get their baby vaccinated for the first time. That’s powerful stuff,” said Gavi Country Liaison Beverley Herbert. “Solomon Islanders know and value immunization. […] This strategy is important. It’s not just a document. Let’s make this strategy not just a document, but a road map for action. A road map for the future for all of Solomon Islanders.”  

Drawing on his considerable experience, Dr Howard Sobel, WHO Representative in the Solomon Islands, shared stories of personally witnessing the power of vaccines in the various countries he’s served in. He narrated even in the United States how wards previously filled with infants with meningitis were emptied, thanks to the effectiveness of the Hemophilus influenza vaccine. 

“When I arrived in the Philippines in 2003, measles was killing young children left and right. It was an eerie reminder of the devastation measles can cause when I walked through slum areas and encountered little caskets from children that died from measles. The measles campaign that followed saved 18,000 lives,” said Dr Sobel. 

That’s why he issues a plea to the participants: “When a child comes in for any reason, can we please open the vaccine vial now? All vaccines are cheap compared to when the child gets the illness, the hospital days, the lost productivity of their parents, and the deaths. Vaccines are such a cheap win. Every day is immunization day.”