“Vaccination, a shared responsibility” “Vaccinated Communities, Healthy Communities”

Swaziland continues to intensify efforts to fight vaccine preventable diseases through the introduction of Pneumococcal Conjugate VaccinePCV 13 and the commemoration of the 4th African Vaccination Week (AVW). The Honourable Minister of Health, Senator Sibongile NdlelaSimelane launched the introduction of the new vaccine on to the national routine immunisation schedule on the 23rd of April, the same day she also launched the AVW. Swaziland commemorated the 2014 AVW under the theme being “Vaccination, a shared responsibility” and the slogan “Vaccinated Communities, Healthy Communities”

The introduction of the PCV-13 followed a lot of planning involving workshops and meetings supported technically and financially by WHO, UNICEF and other partners. The launching ceremony was attended by the Honourable Minister of Health represented by the Deputy Director of Health Services, Mrs Rejoice Nkambule ; the WHO Country Representative Dr Owen Kaluwa, the UNICEF Country Representative, Ms Rachel Odede, senior government officials and members of the media.

In Her speech the Minister reiterated the Government of Swaziland’s dedication to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 especially MDG4 hence the commitment and prioritisation of introducing PCV13 to reduce childhood morbidity and mortality due to pneumonia, pneumococcal disease and meningitis. She was overjoyed that Swaziland was making history in the area of child immunization joining a few other African countries that have introduced the vaccine. This also follows the introduction of Pentavalent vaccine in 2009. She commented the enormous support the country is receiving from WHO, UNICEF and other collaborating partners in the area of Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI)

Dr Owen Kaluwa commended the government of the Kingdom of Swaziland for its commitment to health in general and to children’s health in particular as demonstrated by the introduction of PCV13, a vaccine that is not very cheap. He also pledged WHO and the UN family in Swaziland continued support to the Government of Swaziland in improving the health of the Swazi nation. On behalf of WHO and in supporting the Governments efforts of delivering quality vaccines donated on cold chain equipment (4 refrigerators) Two babies were vaccinated to mark the official launch of the vaccine. Following this more children will receive the vaccine in the country and especially during the African vaccination week which was launched later the same day. The AVW also included child health days and dialogues with health workers.

Mrs Rejoice Nkambule launched the AVW on behalf of the Minister of health at a function held in Sithobela inkhundla which has some of the hard to reach areas in the country. In line with the theme she encouraged people everywhere to vaccinate their children against deadly diseases for it is their right to be protected from vaccinepreventable diseases. She also said that the African Vaccination Week aims to raise awareness on the life-saving value of immunization, encourage families to vaccinate their children to prevent diseases, increase vaccination coverage and help transform the lives of millions of children, giving them a chance to grow up healthily. She also emphasised that communities will be engaged through dialogues to understand some of the barriers to immunization. Community members were encouraged to take their children for vaccination during the child health days and to receive the new vaccine which was launched earlier. She also mentioned that the country is planning to launch Rota virus vaccine in 2015.

Ms Rachel Odede commended and congratulated the Government of Swaziland for making child health one of the key priorities for the Ministry of Health. Immunization is one of the effective approaches that significantly reduce child mortality in Swaziland. On behalf of the UN family urged and encouraged all parents, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers and grandparents to take all children under-five years of age including orphaned children, for immunization during the child health days during the African vaccination week.

The African Vaccination Week and the Child Health Days were successfully held. Communities were mobilised and the media played a very crucial role by covering the events. The mobile network, MTN also played a very crucial role by sending “sms” urging citizens to take their children for vaccination during the AVW and Child Health Days. The “sms” reached many people and made people very inquisitive about immunisation.

For more information contact:

Dr Kevin Makadzange - HPR officer

World Health Organization
Swaziland Country Office
P.O. Box 903 2nd Floor, Lilunga House, Somhlolo Road, Mbabane, Swaziland.

Phone : (+268) 24042928, 24049635
fax : (+268) 2404 4566
email: makadzangek [at] who.int