COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated disruptions to teaching and learning pose a serious threat to approximately 110 million students from pre-primary to higher education in the Middle East and North Africa Region. Even before the pandemic, an estimated 15 million children in the region between the ages of 5-14 were out of school and nearly two-…

AMMAN, 9 November 2021 – Schools have reopened in 18 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Most are applying a blended approach combining in-person and remote teaching and learning for children and teachers. “The reopening of schools is so critical, not only for children’s education but also for their wellbeing. The impact of school…

Schools across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have started to emerge from the lockdowns imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventeen countries have resumed the 2021-2022 academic year, combining both in-person and remote learning. These are Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, the State of…

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought with it fear and uncertainty. Many parents are asking about when there will be a COVID-19 vaccine and what to do about routine childhood vaccinations during the pandemic. We're here to provide answers to your most common questions.  , When will the vaccine for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) be available?, Developing a safe and effective vaccine takes time, but thanks to the unprecedented investment in research and development and global cooperation, scientists have been able to develop a vaccine against COVID-19 in record time, while still maintaining robust, evidence-based and rigorous regulatory standards. On 31 December 2020, WHO listed the…, Should my child still get routine vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic?, While COVID-19 is disrupting our daily lives, the short answer is yes, do try to get your child vaccinated where services are available. It is important that children and babies keep their vaccinations up to date because they protect them from serious diseases. It means that when your children can return to interacting with other children, they’ll…, What do you think we can learn from this outbreak? What can it teach us about other diseases and the decision to vaccinate?, This outbreak reminds us of how valuable vaccines are. It shows us that when there is a vaccine available for a disease, we should keep our children and ourselves up to date with that vaccination.  Without the protection of vaccines, diseases can spread quickly and with terrible consequences. For example, measles and other diseases remain a…, How do vaccines work?, Vaccines help train our immune system to fight infections by introducing an inactivated form of a germ (bacteria or virus) into the body. Since it is inactivated, it cannot make us sick. However, it triggers our body’s immune system to produce defences called antibodies. Then, if you ever catch the germ, your body’s immune system will already know…, Where can I find the latest guidance on vaccinations?, Contact your health care provider, consult your local and national health authority websites and follow guidance provided by  WHO  and  UNICEF .  , How can I protect myself and others from COVID-19?, Some of the precautions you and your family can take to help avoid infection include: Washing your hands frequently using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth. If you sneeze or cough, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or a tissue. Dispose of used tissue immediately. Avoid…, I have a newborn to 1-year-old. How can I protect my baby from COVID-19?, In addition to all of the advice already given to parents about hand washing, physical distancing and maintaining hygiene practices, they should take extra care to protect infants from infection. Breastfeed your baby if possible. There is currently no proven research that breastmilk can transmit the virus, but you should take the usual hygiene and…, What should I do if my child is showing symptoms of COVID-19? Is it safe to take her to the doctor?, If your child has a sore throat, a cough or a fever, call your doctor or health service for advice before bringing them in. They may have a special arrangement at the clinic to minimise spread of infection to others. If your child has more serious symptoms, like shortness of breath or seems unusually sick, call the emergency number or take them to…, Should I get my child tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?, You don’t need to have your child tested if he or she is healthy and not showing any symptoms (such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing). Do also make sure to take all key steps to protect your family against COVID-19. >>  Learn more about v accines This article was originally published on 23 April 2020. It was last updated on 14 January…

Millions of people around the world have now been safely vaccinated against COVID-19, bringing us all one step closer to getting back to doing more of the things we enjoy with the people we love. For many the COVID-19 vaccines couldn’t come fast enough, but others understandably have questions about the vaccination process and what to expect when…, Before you go, Do your research. There’s a lot of misinformation about vaccines online, so it’s important to always get your information from trustworthy sources like UNICEF and WHO. If you have any questions about whether you should receive a COVID-19 vaccine, speak to your doctor. At present, people with the following health conditions should not receive a…, During the appointment, Stay safe. Make sure to follow safety precautions at the vaccination facility such as physical distancing while waiting and wearing a mask. Communicate. Let the health care professional know if you have any medical conditions that could be considered precautions, such as pregnancy or a compromised immune system. Keep your records. You should…, After you’ve been vaccinated, Stay for monitoring. The health care provider should observe you for about 15 minutes after the vaccine is administered to make sure you don’t have any immediate reactions. However, it is extremely rare for severe health reactions. Be prepared for some side effects. Vaccines are designed to give you immunity without the dangers of getting the…, Join our campaign!, Help spread the word that vaccines are safe and effective. This article was originally published on 23 April 2021 and will continue to be updated to reflect the latest information.

News about COVID-19 vaccines is flooding our daily lives and it is only natural that curious young children will have questions – lots of them. Here are some tips for helping to explain what can be a complicated topic in simple and reassuring terms.  , 1. Make sure you’re up to date yourself, Before talking to your children about COVID-19 vaccines, it is important that you understand them yourself. A great place to start is our conversation with Dr. Mike Varshavski. >> What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines  , 2. Ask and listen, Invite your child to share what they have heard about COVID-19 vaccines and listen to their responses. It is important to be fully engaged and take any fears they have seriously. Be patient, the pandemic and misinformation has caused a lot of worry and uncertainty for everyone. Let them know that they can always talk to you or another trusted…, 3. Be honest with them, Children have a right to know what is going on, but it should be explained to them in an age-appropriate way. Keep in mind that kids take their emotional cues from adults, so even if you are worried for your little one knowing that they might be uncomfortable, try not to overshare your fears with your child. Play can be a helpful tool for working…, 4. Answer their questions, Here are some kid-friendly responses to keep in your back pocket for questions your child may have about COVID-19 vaccines: What is a vaccine? A vaccine is like a shield that protects you from an illness. How do vaccines work? Vaccines teach your body how to fight off illnesses. They do that by putting a tiny piece of the germ that causes the…

As the summer vacation of 2021 is approaching, many grandparents can’t wait to spend the longest school holiday with their grandchildren after a tough year. But with more COVID-19 waves striking the globe, families are still concerned about the safety of their loved elderly ones and are hesitant to take them to the beach, social gatherings and…

Across Lebanon, health workers, grandparents, parents and other frontline workers are sharing what receiving the COVID-19 vaccine means to them.   Abdulrahman, 90 years  90-year-old Abdulrahman, getting vaccinated UNICEF2021/Fouad-Choufany/Lebanon 90-year-old Abdulrahman, after getting vaccinated UNICEF2021/Fouad-Choufany/Lebanon Display caption…

In an unexpected year of crisis, society turned to the media and entertainment. Combating misinformation is becoming increasingly complex and difficult to track. By showcasing how UNICEF in combating misinformation in MENA, it is clear that social listening and social media monitoring data must be accompanied by a robust plan that is holistic and…

Zain in collaboration with UNICEF help curb the pandemic by encouraging those eligible to take the vaccine to protect the children and others.  "Do it for me, this time..". "Get vaccinated".  Vaccines allow us to come together, shoulder to shoulder – in schools, communities, and places of worship. They are the best hope we have of ending the COVID…, Vaccine information for families, Science in 5, WHO experts explain the science related to COVID-19, Stories from the region, On the frontlines: Delivering vaccines to reach every community, Mali: A vaccination team travels by donkey cart to reach a remote village in the Mopti region, where families wait for their children to be vaccinated. Every year UNICEF reaches almost half of the world’s children with life-saving vaccines. Now with COVID-19, UNICEF and partners are leading the largest vaccines procurement and supply operation in…, Learn more

Mariam is a 13-year-old Syrian who has been dreaming of going back to school, but since this is another school year in a global pandemic, Mariam and her entire generation is affected by compounding and unprecedented challenges, with potential impact going beyond the short- and medium-term and beyond the education sector.   Even before the COVID-19…

I believe that getting vaccinated will improve my chances of not getting infected again and will help protect my beloved family Maher Ghafari Aleppo, Syria, 22 August 2021 - Today I got my second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine because we are all responsible for fighting this pandemic. I believe that getting vaccinated will improve my chances of not…