Yesterday my colleague Michael wrote an initial blog for Global Citizen about his trip to Vientane, Laos. Alongside Australian parliamentarians, members from other organizations, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Michael is touring the country to witness firsthand the impact of aid investments in improving immunization coverage across the country.
We just heard from Michael, who spent his first day walking around with Senator Janet Rice of the Australian Greens. I’ve never been to Laos so I couldn’t wait to check out some of his photos which you can see below. You can also follow his trip via twitter using the hashtag #Oz4Gavi.
1. Already Laos has made incredible progress with its immunization program.
2. With the Vaccine Alliance’s support, Laos has introduced pentavalent vaccines which offer protection against five diseases: diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP), hepatitis B, and Haemophilius influenzae type b.
3. And, last year, Laos became the first South East Asian nation to introduce pneumococcal vaccines.
4. Every year, pneumococcal disease takes the lives of more than 500,000 children under five, most of which live in developing countries. The bacterium responsible for pneumococcal disease – pneumococcus – can cause life-threatening infections like pneumonia or meningitis.
5. Thankfully, the roll out of pneumococcal vaccines is underway. With the help of partners, Gavi hopes to avert up to 1.5 million deaths by 2020.
6. In the photos below girls are receiving the HPV vaccine which safeguards against cervical cancer.
7. Last year Laos also became the first South East Asian nation to introduce the HPV vaccine.
8. In Laos about 500 women get cervical cancer each year, and more than half of them die. This vaccine is couldn't be more important.
9. As a result of increased routine vaccination coverage in Laos the number of deaths of children under five has significantly been reduced.
10. Vaccines work, that’s all there is to it. Stay tuned for more updates on Michael’s trip and to learn more about immunization coverage in Laos.
