May 18, 2016: The 6th African Vaccination Week has been officially launched in Ethiopia, in Assosa town of Benishangul Gumuz region. The launching was very colorful attended by partners including WHO, UNICEF, Rotary, CHAI, PATH, JSI/UI-FHS, Core Group, CUSO, World Vision, IRC as well as by the national and local medias and the celebration will continue with serious of events throughout the week from 18-24 May, 2016.

The Benishangul Gumuz Regional state representative Mr Mussa Ahmed in his welcoming speech said that Immunization coverage is rising from time to time and the AVW celebration taken place in the region will be a good opportunity to address unvaccinated children and increase the coverage.

Dr Taye Tolera, Head of the state minister’s office, said in his opening speech that “The theme of this year’s AVW which says ‘Close the immunization gap, stay polio free’ reminds us to ensure every child’s right to get immunization access. We need to work hard to achieve universal coverage to ensure the equity. At the same time we should sustain the success gained from polio eradication initiative as Ethiopia is free of polio now for more than two years.”

Dr Mutale Mumba MCHN Team Coordinator read WHO’s speech on behalf of Dr. Olusegun Ayorinde Babaniyi, Acting WHO Representative for Ethiopia said that “The goal of AVW is to strengthen immunization programmes in the Africa region by raising awareness on the importance of every person’s need and right to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. It also promotes delivery of other high-impact lifesaving interventions.”

As part of the launching event, a site visit was held at Abramo health center where the first vaccination session took place to be continued during the AVW to vaccinate unvaccinated children identified from each woreda and district of the region. Students from the Abramo woreda primary school have also presented a song in their local /Berta/ language to express their gratitude for the government and partners support provided to their community in strengthening the health facilities as well as other development areas.

Moreover, taking the advantage of the AVW participants gathering, a blood donation activity has been held and people were cheerful to take part on this activity and they enjoyed donating their blood as positive contribution to saving the life of others.

The commemoration was also warmed up with the local Zumbara traditional music, quiz between mothers and fathers; circus and children’s song and immunization message was communicated throughout all activities.