ADDIS ABABA (HAN) May 16.2016. Public Diplomacy & Regional Security News. Ethiopia will mark the 6th African Vaccination Week on 18-24 May 2016 in a bid to amplify the education and advocacy efforts that are helping to close the immunization gap.
The African Vaccination Week (AVW) is commemorated in African countries alongside World Immunization Week to draw attention to the need to immunize and ensure universal immunization coverage; and this year’s edition will be marked with the theme: “Close the Immunization Gap; Stay Polio Free’’ and the slogan “Vaccinated communities; Healthy communities.”
According to WHO press release, the national launching will takes place in Assosa town of Benshangul-Gumuz region on May 18 in the presence of State Minister of Health Ethiopia, President of Benishangul-Gumuz State, communities and representative from immunization partners including WHO and UNICEF, and the event will continue throughout the week with a serious of events.
It is said that the AVW will be an opportunity to increase awareness of the importance of vaccination as well as to celebrate the country’s important progresses made to date. And the Press Release recalled that more than two years have passed since the onset of paralysis of the last case of wild polio virus (WPV), and that Ethiopia is currently in polio free status.
Said to be a celebration of the important polio eradication milestone that has been reached in the African Region, the week long series of events will call on countries to stay vigilant in the fight against polio, and stay polio free.
The release indicates that the launching sessions will cover a variety of activities, including key note address by Honorable State Minister of Health Dr. Kebede Worku, speeches by key immunization partners and vaccination session. BY ROBEL YOHANNES
Leave a Reply