Lesotho continues to face notable challenges in achieving full immunization coverage. Recent data show that national vaccination rates remain below the global targets and fluctuate year to year. In 2023–24, only 63% of children aged 12–23 months received all basic vaccinations, a figure that reflects persistent barriers, including geographical isolation, limited outreach capacity, and occasional surges in vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. A child is considered fully vaccinated if they’ve received all basic antigens, plus a birth dose of OPV, a dose of IPV, three doses of pneumococcal vaccine, and two doses of rotavirus vaccine. 🎙️ In today’s episode of Health Dialogues: Bridging Voices, I had the honor of interviewing a nurse working on the frontlines of Lesotho’s immunization efforts in rural clinics. From vaccine hesitancy to systemic barriers, this conversation offers a candid look at the challenges and progress shaping public health in Lesotho. 📺 Watch the full interview: https://lnkd.in/gGzP6ySY #Immunization #Lesotho #MaternalHealth #GlobalHealth #HealthDialogues

Pakistan has initiated its first-ever Human Papillomavirus (HPV) immunization campaign, a crucial milestone towards the prevention of cervical cancer. The campaign was initiated on Monday with the District Health Officer's daughter being administered the first vaccine. The launch was attended by Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, who appealed to people not to be misled by propaganda or misinformation about the vaccine and instead remain well-informed. The campaign focuses on the role of preventive healthcare in young girls. The campaign targets vaccinating 90% of 9-14-year-old girls nationwide. The vaccinations will be administered through authorized health centers, schools, and mobile vaccination teams for comprehensive reach and coverage. #HPVVaccine #CervicalCancerPrevention #PakistanHealth #GirlsHealth #VaccinationCampaign #PublicHealth #Immunization #HealthAwareness #PreventiveCare #YouthHealth #Tribunetrends

The CDC recently updated its adult and child immunization schedules to apply the updated COVID-19 and combined MMRV vaccine recommendations that ACIP adopted earlier this month. Specifically, the schedule applies individual-based decision-making to COVID-19 vaccinations and recommends that children under age four receive the varicella (chickenpox) and MMR vaccine as two separate immunizations. You can read more in this short alert I co-wrote with Lisa Campbell, Katie Bjornstad Amin and Shanna Cramer - https://lnkd.in/eHP-Dg_E

CDC today updated its adult and child immunization schedules to apply individual-based decision-making to COVID-19 vaccination and recommend that toddlers receive protection from varicella (chickenpox) as a standalone immunization rather than in combination with measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination. Individual-based decision-making means that the clinical decision to vaccinate should be based on patient characteristics that unlike age are difficult to incorporate in recommendations, including risk factors for the underlying disease as well as the characteristics of the vaccine itself and the best available evidence of who may benefit from vaccination. See statement from Acting Director Jim O'Neill: https://lnkd.in/ewW6Bwqu

We stand with the American Academy of Pediatrics on using scientific evidence and pediatric vaccine experts to determine appropriate vaccine schedules and safety. CINCH began as an immunization coalition as part of a CDC demonstration project in 1993. We helped raise immunization rates by 19% in our community. Vaccines save lives. Vaccines keep children and our communities healthy and safe. The benefits of vaccines outweigh the risks - and study after study has supported the safety and efficacy of vaccines. We have quality systems in place to monitor vaccine safety and efficacy. We continue our dedication to evidence-based medicine.

The CDC updated its adult and child immunization schedules to apply clinical decision-making to COVID-19 vaccination and recommend that toddlers receive protection from varicella as a stand-alone immunization rather than in combination with measles, mumps, and rubella, and varicella vaccination. https://lnkd.in/eAWqB9sD

The health of our infants is at stake. 💉🚼 A recent postponement by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices could have serious implications. The recommendation to administer the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth is under scrutiny. The delay means: – Current guidelines remain unchanged – Increased risk of preventable infections – Potential resurgence of hepatitis B in young children Experts argue against postponing this crucial vaccination, emphasizing that it virtually eliminated the disease among young kids since its introduction in 1991. Delaying this vaccine could potentially reintroduce significant health risks. A vote by the committee had the support for postponement, but many believe it's premature without solid evidence of alternative benefits. Others fear that further doubts about vaccine efficacy could deter parents from future vaccinations—carbonating the cycle of misinformation. The solution? – Reinforce the benefits of timely vaccination – Encourage informed discussions about vaccine safety – Prioritize pediatric health by maintaining evidence-based practices Food for thought: What does this hold for public health? The debate reflects broader concerns regarding vaccine hesitancy in today's world. Educating parents and combatting misinformation becomes more critical than ever in our mission to safeguard children's health. #Vaccination #PublicHealth #HepatitisB #InfantHealth #Healthcare #Immunization

Immunization in school is crucial for public health, protecting students and the community from vaccine-preventable diseases and enabling a healthy learning environment. Many jurisdictions require specific immunizations for school attendance, while others offer school-based vaccination programs for common and new vaccines. School-based immunization aims to increase vaccination coverage, ensure timely protection, and prevent outbreaks by administering vaccines on-site.