Equipping communities with information to stay safe
UNICEF and partners continue to rally to increase uptake of COVID-19 vaccines
“To promote healthy behaviours and mitigate the harm from misinformation and disinformation, it is paramount to build trust and share accurate information with engagement of influential opinion leaders,” says Elnur Aliyev, Chief of Social and Behaviour Change at UNICEF Syria.
The COVID-19 vaccination coverage in Syria is one of the lowest globally. To date, 12 per cent of the population have received their first dose and eight per cent their second dose. UNICEF is working closely with the Ministry of Health, WHO and partners to promote facts over fear and bring reliable guidance to enhance the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccines.
With thanks to the support from GAVI, UNICEF has helped to produce and disseminate public service announcements, educational videos, and community engagement products to bolster vaccination coverage and promote key COVID-19 specific behaviours. UNICEF has also deployed mobile outreach teams to educate people as well as engage religious leaders and health care providers to share the messages in communities and debunk rumors.
"Unfortunately, same platforms are also at times used to spread misinformation and disinformation. To help people differentiate fact from fiction, we’ve created and shared content also for social media,"
“In Syria, radio reaches the most distant and rural communities while the mobile outreach teams are key in helping people understand, trust, and accept the messages,” explains Mr Aliyev. “Social media has shaped opportunities, especially for young people, to increase their knowledge about vaccines. Unfortunately, same platforms are also at times used to spread misinformation and disinformation. To help people differentiate fact from fiction, we’ve created and shared content also for social media,” he adds.
WHO and UNICEF continue ensuring the equitable distribution of the vaccines through the management of cold chain systems; training of vaccinators to administer vaccines safely; monitoring the vaccine uptake, particularly by eligible and vulnerable populations; and encouraging the uptake of the vaccine in communities.
More resources:
What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines
What you need to know before, during and after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine