Voices of ‘Vaccine Champions’ From Around USAID
Highlighting our immunization efforts this World Immunization Week
Every year, 19 million infants worldwide are not reached with basic vaccinations.
Vaccines save lives. Immunization averts 2 to 3 million deaths annually, and is one of the most cost-effective interventions to stop the spread of preventable infectious diseases.
Amidst the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, we are already starting to see the devastating impacts that infectious diseases can have on our health, economy, and livelihoods.
We, as a global community, are reminded of the importance of maintaining strong routine immunization systems and the need to help partner countries build strong, resilient health systems.
Many countries are facing disruptions to health services amidst COVID-19, and we are reminded of the need to protect global immunization progress and continue working towards equitable access to vaccines for all.
As USAID joins the global community in celebrating World Immunization Week this year, we spotlight some of our Agency’s own ‘Vaccine Champions’ who are working to protect children and communities everywhere against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Reach Every Child
Globally, more than 600,000 children die every year from vaccine-preventable diseases, which is something that Dr. Basilica Modi, Senior Health Program Specialist for Infectious Disease at USAID’s Mission in South Sudan, is passionate about combating. In South Sudan, USAID supports the vaccination of 1.6 million children for measles each year, including for displaced populations who have fled their homes due to conflict.
“For children to die from vaccine-preventable diseases is unacceptable to me,” said Modi. “It is very frustrating to see so many children die from measles and other vaccine preventable diseases in South Sudan. I will relentlessly continue to support routine immunization activities in South Sudan.”
To increase immunization coverage in Mozambique, USAID works with the Ministry of Health to map underserved communities, develop targeted distribution plans, and implement integrated outreach services to ensure that life-saving vaccines reach more communities and protect children.
“As a medical doctor, mother, and USAID employee, I have a mission to help ensure that immunization programs reach all children in my country,” explains Dr. Dulce Nhassico, a USAID Project Manager Specialist in Mozambique. “With the increasing number of vaccines available globally, my duty is to help USAID contribute to ensuring that Mozambican children have the same opportunity as other children around the world and to be protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.”
In India, USAID supports the Government of India to implement a Universal Immunization Program, which aims to provide critical vaccines to 25 million newborns and 27 million pregnant women each year.
“Immunization is one of the most effective and cost-effective public health interventions largely responsible for reduction of vaccine preventable under-5 mortality,” explains Dr. Sachin Gupta, a Maternal and Child Health Advisor at USAID’s Mission in India. “As India accounts for 20 percent of global child deaths, increasing immunization coverage and accelerating introduction of new vaccines in India will have a significant impact in terms of lives saved globally.”
In Haiti, national immunization coverage is still low with under 50 percent of children fully vaccinated before their first birthday. Dr. Ceremy Fertil, a Maternal and Child Health Advisor at USAID’s Mission in Haiti, is working to increase immunization coverage of children under 5 by spearheading initiatives to utilize facilities and community health posts in rural areas to immunize children and families previously unreached.
Dr. Fertil said, “We have seen the immunization coverage in our USAID-supported network increase to over 85 percent coverage from 2017. Every year since 2017, we have vaccinated over 72,000 children before they get one year old.”
Achieving More Together
Another way that USAID supports immunization is by partnering with Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance to expand access to new and underutilized vaccines in 73 low- and middle-income countries. USAID’s long-standing partnership with Gavi shows our commitment to reducing the spread of vaccine preventable infectious diseases, protecting child lives, and helping countries on their Journey to Self-Reliance.
“I’m proud of USAID’s partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance — which since 2000 has saved more than 13 million lives. Vaccines are among our most cost-effective and impactful public health tools, and through Gavi we are harnessing the collective strengths of the public and private sectors and the commitment of countries around the world to make vaccines available for all children.”
— Bonnie Glick, Deputy Administrator, USAID
A Cornerstone to Child Survival
USAID has been committed to increasing worldwide immunization coverage since the mid-1980s, and our long-standing legacy and investments to improve access to life-saving vaccines have supported child survival efforts for decades.
Supporting immunization is more important than ever during the COVID-19 crisis to ensure children are protected from other vaccine-preventable infectious diseases like measles, polio, and yellow fever. Immunization not only benefits individuals, but also supports national security and economic prosperity, and helps countries become more resilient and self-reliant.
“I believe investing in immunization is fundamental to USAID’s child survival and health security efforts. Ensuring that all children have access to vaccines is good for communities, for countries, and for the world.”
— Irene Koek, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, USAID Bureau for Global Health
About the Author
Stephanie Mork is a Nutrition Communications Intern in USAID’s Bureau for Global Health.
