The media in Zimbabwe has been commended for playing an active part in encouraging people, to take their children for immunization especially from the religious groups.
Dr Peter Salam, UNICEF Zimbabwe Country Representative, said at a press conference convened by the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare (MHCW) in Harare today (20 July 2012) that there has been “an encouraging and overwhelming response” from members of the public, especially from Apostolic groups who are now keen to take their children for immunization.
Salama said this has been achieved with the support of the media, which reported extensively on the need for children from the Apostolic groups to participate in the national immunization days held last month (18 to 22 June).
“We as partners in this initiative were very much pleased with the positive response from the faith based organisations who have responded by taking their children for immunization unlike in the past days. The media has played an active role in educating society on this need,” Dr Salama said.
The Zimbabwean media was awash with photographs of children from the faith based organisations performing drama activities to educate parents to take their children for immunization in the run up to the campaign.
Throughout last year, advocacy was initiated at a high political level including the office of the Prime Minister to engage religious leaders that has previously rejected vaccinations. This is reported to have led to significant progress in increasing coverage among the religious groups.
According to the World Health Organisation and UNICEF estimates, Zimbabwe has witnessed a steady improvement in routine immunization coverage over the last three years with DTP3, which vaccinates against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus, increasing from 68% in 2006 to 93% in 2011. Routine measles coverage increased from 67% to 92% over the same period.
ln the past decade, when the health delivery system was challenged due to the national socio-economic crisis, vaccination coverage plunged and outbreaks of measles, neonatal tetanus and other vaccine-preventable diseases were experienced countrywide.
The June national immunization days included polio vaccination and Vitamin A supplementation.
