Vaccines Save Lives

“It is time to prioritize health, to promote healthy growth, and to avoid serious diseases,” said Roberto Ibáñez, Director of the Puerto Belgrano Naval Hospital in the province of Buenos Aires. It is one of 210 Argentine institutions reached by the Vaccines Save Lives campaign, carried out by FUNCEI’s Education and Children’s Publications Department, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Argentina. Activities began between April 24 and 30, 2023, during the Vaccination Week in the Americas.

The campaign had two clear goals: to raise awareness of the importance of vaccination and its effectiveness in preventing and controlling infections throughout life, and to motivate people to request and receive the vaccines included in the National Immunization Schedule for their age group. The beneficiaries were children in kindergartens and primary schools, teenagers in secondary schools, and adults who visit community senior centers, hospitals, health centers, or squares. FUNCEI coordinated the organization and execution of the activities, together with the Rotary Club, which also handled the arrangements with educational and other institutions’ authorities. The efforts of the Rotary Multidistrict Committee facilitated the involvement of districts D4851 and D4921, which encompass Argentina’s northwestern, central, and southern regions.

Impact of the Campaign

Children loved the didactic materials and eagerly engaged in the suggested activities.

“Focused on promoting health and preventing disease, we invested once again in formal and informal education at different levels to encourage the adoption of lifelong healthy self-care habits,” stated Cintya Elmassian, General Coordinator of FUNCEI’s Education and Children’s Publications Department. On April 11, during the prelaunch period, the initial training was held. Elmassian gave a virtual talk to the teachers, principals, volunteers, and coordinators who would implement the playful didactic proposals tailored for each age group: kindergarten, primary, and secondary school students; pregnant women, and older adults.

Materials Developed by FUNCEI

Over a week later, on April 24, the campaign was launched with a talk by two renowned specialists from FUNCEI’s Vaccine Work Group: Hebe Vázquez, Infectious Disease Specialist, and Ana Ceballos, Pediatrician. They explained which vaccines are needed at each stage of life, why they are essential, and what schedules are used. In particular, they addressed common vaccination-related questions and concerns. Once the planned activities had begun, professionals, educators, and families participated in more virtual meetings. The complementary in-person actions were carried out in schools, kindergartens, hospitals, health centers, picnic areas, dining halls, and day care centers. Vaccination days were also organized and updated information was disseminated by sharing videos, interviews, and brief messages in the media and on social networks.

Antonio Palomo, Director of Health of the city of Santiago del Estero, stated during a ceremony at Kindergarten No. 10 “Las ardillitas”: “[It is necessary] to educate children from an early age so that they understand the fundamental role that vaccines play in public health and in life in general, knowing that they are very safe and reliable tools.” The institution Principal, Lorena Gómez, highlighted the social value of vaccines, since they ensure individual, collective, and community immunization. Campaign actions were also implemented in the provinces of Jujuy, Salta, Catamarca, Tucumán, La Rioja, San Juan, Mendoza, San Luis, Córdoba, La Pampa, Buenos Aires, Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut, Santa Cruz, and Tierra del Fuego.

“With this campaign, we continued working to improve the integral wellbeing of our country’s population and to help acknowledge the right to vaccination as a substantial part of the right to health,” Elmassian emphasized. Thanks to the joint effort with the Rotary Club of Argentina, FUNCEI reaffirmed their commitment to social inclusion and equity.