Media men in Bafoussam were on June 23, 2015 briefed on government’s policy on immunization.

Media men in the West Region have been lectured on government’s policy on the African Vaccination Week, SAV, which is being celebrated this year on the theme, “Vaccination, source of life.” The one-day sensitization for media professionals in Bafoussam on June 23, 2015, was also marked by an open-door day organized by the West Regional Delegation of Public Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF. The activities were to celebrate this year’s African Vaccination Week.

Dr. Simo Elie, the West Regional Service Head in charge of Vaccination and Follow-up of Campaign Programmes, said the open door activities were aimed at re-affirming government’s policy on immunization. Since 70-80 per cent of the population is found in rural areas, the media has an important role to play in order to reach out to them, he pointed out. On his part, a UNICEF consultant explained that the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy (GIVS) for 2006-2015 needs inter-and intra-sectoral co-operation of the media as the quickest and safest means to reach out to the public so as to attain objectives.

The meeting was attended by the West Regional Delegate for Communication, Simon Ekole Penda, who debriefed journalists and radio presenters on professional strategic methods to communicate health information to the public. Participants also visited vaccination centres and the ‘Grandes Endemies’ vaccine storage facilities in Bafoussam. Meanwhile, this year’s “Action Week for Mother and Maternal Healthcare will be held from July 3-5, 2015.