Artibonite beats cholera vaccine goal despite misinformation

GONAÏVES, Haiti — Health authorities in Haiti’s Artibonite region launched a cholera vaccination campaign on Dec. 19 across five municipalities to curb a growing outbreak of the waterborne disease. The campaign aimed to vaccinate more than 200,000 residents, and despite facing logistical challenges and vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation, officials say they have surpassed targets in several areas — marking a significant public health milestone.

Haiti has battled recurring cholera outbreaks since the disease was introduced in 2010, when UN peacekeepers were linked to contaminated water sources. The resulting epidemic killed thousands and overwhelmed the country’s already fragile health system. With cases now resurfacing in Artibonite — an area with ongoing sanitation issues and limited access to clean water — health authorities raced to contain the virus before it could spread more widely.

“We carried out this vaccination campaign intending to combat this cholera outbreak, which represents a social danger for the population,” said Mercedes Philogène Joseph, the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSSPP) representative in the Artibonite region and head of the vaccination campaign.

MSPP launched the cholera vaccination campaign in response to an outbreak detected in the Artibonite region’s municipalities such as Gonaïves, Marmelade, Saint Michel de l’Attalaye, Marchand Dessalines and Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite. 

In Gonaïves alone, health officials recorded 12 cases between Dec. 8 and 14. The number increased to 18 cases from Dec. 15 to 21, and 17 additional cases from Dec. 29, 2024, to Jan. 4, 2025, according to Joseph.

Despite the urgency, misinformation emerged midway through the campaign. With misinformation about vaccine safety discouraging residents, especially in Gonaives, from getting the shot, misinformation has become a major obstacle.

Misinformation fuels skepticism

In November 2024, following a screening, several cases of cholera were reported in the municipalities targeted which were the most affected by the epidemic. Health officials started the cholera vaccination campaign on Dec. 19 and two months later, the vaccine took off.

But while health officials reported early successes – such as exceeding vaccination targets in other areas- persuading all residents to get the vaccine remains a battle.

In February, Joseph acknowledged major challenges in Gonaives, the last municipality where health officials launched the campaign. Joseph cited a lack of awareness among vulnerable populations, a limited campaign timeline, and persistent vaccine hesitancy as major challenges.

“We are aware that there has been a communication problem within the population regarding the importance of this vaccination campaign. We have other strategies to vaccinate the population against cholera.”

A month before, a viral social media campaign has spread conspiracy theories, including claims that the vaccine is part of a macabre plan to hurt residents. Some messages allege the vaccine can be fatal, discouraging many from getting the shot.

“I am not available to be vaccinated against cholera. I have a lot of things to do; I cannot die today or tomorrow,” Ms. Renette Dorvilus from Gonaives said. 

While there was no evidence supporting those claims public health officials acknowledge that mistrust remains a serious barrier.

Vaccination milestones

At the end of the campaign, the Departmental Director of Health of Artibonite, Dr. Henock Savain considers the vaccination campaign a success, despite challenges, including insecurity caused by armed gangs. Due to safety concerns, only one communal section in Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite was able to open vaccination stations. However, health officials set up several vaccination points across the department, particularly in hospitals.

In Gonaïves, where officials aimed to vaccinate 100,706 people, the campaign surpassed its goal, reaching 104,932 vaccinations.

Across four other municipalities, the campaign also surpassed expectations:

• Marmelade: 12,937 people vaccinated (target: 9,093)
• Saint-Michel de l’Attalaye: 40,911 vaccinated (target: 37,277)
• Marchand Dessalines: 63,160 vaccinated (target: 64,312)
• Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite: 6,196 vaccinated (target: 7,438)

This amounts to 227,536 shots given across the five municipalities.

The vaccination campaign was financed by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the Artibonite Sanitation Departmental Directorate (DSA).

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