SRHIN AFRICA Website
Program
Covid-19 Project
Only 8% of Africans have received a full course of COVID-19 vaccination,
in contrast to more than 60% in many high-income countries. In Ethiopia, only
18.5% of the population has been fully vaccinated.
Only 8% of Africans have received a full course of COVID-19 vaccination, in contrast to more than 60% in many high-income countries. In Ethiopia, only 18.5% of the population has been fully vaccinated, with a lower proportion reported in rural and marginalized communities according to the World Health Organization. This significant discrepancy in vaccination rates highlights the urgent need for increased access to vaccines in low income and developing countries.
How SRHIN is Addressing Disparities Around Covid-19 Vaccination
The Youth COVID-19 Vaccination Advocacy program is SRHIN’s latest initiative aimed at increasing awareness and promoting vaccination in communities across Ethiopia. This program is driven by the power of youth and leverages their energy, enthusiasm, and creativity to reach out to their peers and community members. The program commenced after a rigorous recruitment process where the COVID-19 Youth Champions were selected. The Champions were trained for 5 days on how to conduct successful advocacy campaigns. They learned about the importance of vaccination, the different types of vaccines available, and how to effectively communicate this information to their communities.
With the support of Global Youth Mobilization Fund, the youth champions developed information, education and communication (IEC) materials, including infographics and short videos, to help spread the message about the importance of vaccination. Through their tireless efforts, the champions took their first best step towards addressing disparities around vaccinations in Ethiopia. The Youth COVID-19 Vaccination Advocacy program is a testament to the power of youth engagement and community participation in addressing public health challenges.