The launch began Tuesday July 14th at the Regional Delegation of public Health with a press briefing with some journalist of local radio stations and bloggers. During the presentations, the Coordinator of the Regional Technical Group for the Expanded Program on Immunization, Dr. Chebo Cornelius indicated that African Vaccination Week is celebrated in the last week of April (24 to 30 April) with aim to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. He furthered that the relaunch is coming at a time when the sociopolitical crisis and the global health crisis is at the center of affairs. He however surged media practitioners to be able to craft out messages encouraging mothers to get their kids vaccinated, introduce them to the new vaccination calendar which no longer ends at 9months but at 15months.
It should be noted that Immunization saves millions of lives every year and is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful and cost-effective health interventions. Yet, there are still nearly 20 million children in the world today who are not getting the vaccines they need, revelations made by the Focal person for Communication of the Regional Delegation of Public health, Mr. Raoul Saho.
The theme this year is #VaccinesWork for All and the campaign will focus on how vaccines and the people who develop, deliver and receive them are heroes by working to protect the health of everyone, everywhere.
The main goal of the campaign is to urge greater engagement around immunization globally and the importance of vaccination in improving health and wellbeing of everyone, everywhere throughout life.
As part of the 2020 campaign, WHO and partners aim to:
Demonstrate the value of vaccines for the health of children, communities and the world.
Show how routine immunization is the foundation for strong, resilient health systems and universal health coverage.
Highlight the need to build on immunization progress while addressing gaps, including through increased investment in vaccines and immunization.
Given that WHO has designated 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, WHO will highlight nurses and midwives for their crucial role as early vaccine champions for new parents and parents-to-be.
Just as Cameroon has been declared polio free, Dr. Chebo thinks that if journalists play their role in strategic and proper communication, other diseases common to children like miseales and rubella can be minimized.
Journalists and bloggers left pledging to raise awareness on routine vaccinations at all stages of growth for children.
Pedmia Shatu Tita
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