Lifesaving Immunization for Children
Every since its first tuberculosis campaign in 1947, UNICEF has been a leader in global immunization. Today we provide vaccine to 40 percent of the world’s children and help save two million lives a year. But thousands of children still die needlessly every day from diseases like measles, polio, or tuberculosis. UNICEF is committed to vaccinating every single child against preventable childhood diseases.
When war or natural disaster strikes, we do whatever it takes to get children immunized. We help broker ceasefires so that we can enter a war-torn region and vaccinate its children. After a disaster, we go door-to-door in the remotest areas to distribute lifesaving vaccines.
Malaria Prevention and More
But protecting a child’s health goes beyond immunization. We are the world’s largest provider of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, which help protect families from malaria. We provide healthcare to young children and their mothers, to make sure that every child gets a healthy start in life.
UNICEF is especially dedicated to helping girls and women, who often suffer the biggest neglect. In Nicaragua, UNICEF supports over 40 maternal homes—safe places where young mothers-to-be can receive medical help and support. And in India, we provide taxis that bring pregnant women to a hospital who could otherwise not afford to go.
We are determined to stop the needless deaths of children from preventable disease. And we believe that all children deserve the healthiest possible start in life. Their future—and ours—depends on it.
Related Links
June 25, 2009
Immunization campaign works to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus in Mauritania
When the school's headmaster announced the arrival of the tetanus vaccination team, Lalla, age 14, and several of her schoolmates, were excused from class. Lalla was in the group of girls who were to be vaccinated, as part of an immunization week targeting future mothers at the Oualata Secondary School.
June 18, 2009
Tetanus vaccination campaign aims for eradication in Côte d'Ivoire
Sabra Seydou arrived at the Abobo Kennedy Clinic in Abidjan with just minutes to spare before giving birth. It was only her second visit to the clinic since the beginning of her pregnancy, as she could not afford all of the standard prenatal tests or consultations. She did, however, receive a first vaccination against tetanus, provided free by the government of Côte d'Ivoire.
June 4, 2009
UNICEF providing vital aid to refugees in southern Chad
After the death of her husband in 2007, Hadidia Aliou fled her home village in northern Central African Republic (CAR), taking her five children with her. The family now lives in the camp of Dosseye, one of three refugee camps located about 18 miles from the shared Chad/CAR border.
