A Mother’s Change of Heart

QUEZON PROVINCE, 29 Jan. 2023 – Jennifer Abanes was undecided whether to let her three children get vaccinated against COVID-19. As a person with a disability, she also had fears of getting the vaccine.

She was not alone in her hesitation. She shared this fear with her community in Barangay. Nasalaan, a coastal village in the municipality of San Francisco, in the province of Quezon.

“We were scared because of stories that people are dying because of vaccines,” Jennifer shared. 

But after joining a health education session supported by UNICEF and Relief International at Nasalaan Elementary School, Jennifer and many others had a change of heart. 

With support from USAID, UNICEF and Relief International partnered with selected local government units in Quezon to help increase acceptance and uptake of COVID-19 vaccines, especially among the most vulnerable and marginalized groups. The support includes addressing vaccine hesitancy and refusal through preventing spread of false information and raising awareness on the safety, effectiveness, and importance of vaccines in communities. These are done through house-to-house visits, group learning sessions in communities, or school-based health education activities such as the one attended by Jennifer. 

Through these efforts, UNICEF and Relief International reached more than 21,000 vaccine-eligible individuals in Quezon with important messages on immunization and COVID-19 prevention.

Protecting herself and her children through vaccination

During the PinasLakas Special Vaccination Days in September 2022, Jennifer finally decided to let her children Jojen, Jonathan, and Altheia, get vaccinated against the deadly virus. 

But as a mother, she made sure to go first. “I got vaccinated first before my children. It has a good effect on me, that’s why I decided to have my children vaccinated, too.”

While more people need convincing so they can protect themselves and their families through vaccination, there has been considerable progress as UNICEF and Relief International continue to work closely with their partner local governments and health offices to engage communities and promote COVID-19 vaccination. From 38.2 percent in July 2022 to 48.4 percent in December 2022, the vaccination coverage of San Francisco has significantly increased.

A call to other mothers

After getting herself and her children vaccinated and protected against COVID-19, Jennifer now actively advocates for vaccination among other parents. She reminds other mothers fearful of the vaccines that this is a way for them to protect their families. 

Jennifer enjoins fellow mothers and parents, “To all my fellow parents, the best way you can protect your children and your family in this time of pandemic is through vaccination. If we are vaccinated and we get sick, our bodies are prepared to fight it.”