Last month, Nepal launched the first phase of the COVID-19
vaccination campaign for children aged 5
to 11 in 27 of the country's 77 districts. The campaign marks another milestone in Nepal's COVID-19 vaccination which achieved the WHO global target of 70%
vaccination coverage by mid-2022.
For this campaign, schools and health care posts were
selected as vaccination sites to increase the coverage and ensure all children
in the target age group receive the life-saving vaccine. Along with healthcare workers, staff at schools
have played a huge role to ensure the campaign’s success.
From volunteering
to man vaccine registration booths to educating
parents and children regarding the vaccines, staff at schools have dedicated
themselves to the campaign, while healthcare workers have traveled far and wide
to reach the unreached. Their responsibilities vary, but their sentiments are
the same – they are all relieved the children are finally able to get COVID-19
vaccines.
The second phase of the campaign in the remaining
districts is scheduled to start in August 2022.
Here are a few stories of school staff and healthcare workers who are working to turn the campaign into a success.
Chameli Maya Magar (pictured left), a Female Community Health Volunteer, at Golanjor Municipality, Sindhuli
With the launch of the vaccination campaign for children (above 5 years and below 12 years), Chameli has been using her rich experience in community mobilization to ensure all parents and children receive the correct information about COVID-19 vaccines.
“When the BCG vaccine was introduced in Nepal, there was a lot of hesitation among the people in this locality to take the vaccine. The community was not forthcoming, but slowly understood the importance of the vaccine. We have seen a similar situation with the COVID-19 vaccines. We have been organizing the mothers group meetings where we speak to the community about the importance of this vaccine, the seriousness of the disease, and the efforts from the Government of Nepal to bring these vaccines to us. We want to make sure that people have accurate and verified information at their disposal so that they can make informed choices."
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Udaya Kafle (pictured left), a vaccinator, Dudhauli Municipality, Sindhuli
Udaya says some parents were hesitant about the vaccination, but with support from the school staff, he was able to negate their fears by sharing correct information.
“Our role is to ensure that the vaccinators have all the necessary equipment for administering vaccines in a safe and smooth manner. For instance, last time we ran out of syringes, and then we immediately contacted officials who sent the supplies to the school. We are also on standby, with the AEFI kits provided by WHO, in case a child experiences side effects. We did come across a few hesitant parents as the word ‘Pfizer’ was not written in the vials, and they questioned the vaccine’s legitimacy. However, with the support from the principal and school staff, we were able to inform them that the vaccines are indeed the ones approved by the Government of Nepal and WHO. All in all, all were interested in the campaign and encouraged each other to get the vaccine for their children. Our children are finally vaccinated and I’m relieved. They can finally continue their studies in peace."
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Sukalaksmi Pradhan, an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) at Dhungkharka Health Post, Bethanchok Rural Municipality, Kavre
Sukalaksmi has been working as an ANM for 7 years, and even though, this is where her primary responsibilities are, she is also contributing to the ongoing vaccination campaign for children (above 5 years and below 12 years).
“When the COVID-19 vaccination campaign began last year, there were times when no one showed up to receive the vaccine because people were anxious or scared. So, we went to spread awareness at the local level, moving from village to village. Our efforts have proven to be successful. I divide my time to provide service to mothers in the birthing centres and schools to vaccinate children. Even though I have to walk some 2-4 hours from the morning to reach a village to provide this vaccine, I am happy that I am contributing to ensuring no one is left behind in this campaign."
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Lalit Kumar Singh, Incharge of Health at Daadiguraase Health Post, Kamalamaai Municipality, Majhinidamaar, Sindhuli
Lalit, who has been working at the health post for 10 years, works with local schools and other healthcare providers at the health post to vaccinate children during the weekends to make the ongoing vaccination campaign for children (above 5 years and below 12 years) a success.
“When the first vaccine campaign started in Nepal, there were a lot of rumors spreading, but now, I am glad all parents actively search for vaccines for their children and safeguard them against this deadly disease. They also are actively searching for booster doses for themselves. We are here to serve. Due to Sindhuli’s difficult geography, people have to walk 4-5 hours to reach the nearest vaccination sites, but we have decided to travel to where the children are. We also share the verified information from the Government of Nepal and WHO to whichever community we go to."
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Rupak Mahat, 35, a teacher at Shree Sharada Secondary School, Panauti, Kavre
When Nepal launched its vaccination campaign in March 2021, Rupak made sure to get himself and his family vaccinated. He is now glad that Nepal has initiated the vaccination campaign for children (above 5 years and below 12 years), and shares the knowledge he has gained regarding the disease with his colleagues, students, and community.
“When I was infected by COVID-19, I fell seriously ill. All my family members also got infected. While most of my family members were vaccinated, I was worried about my son as at the time there were no vaccines available for children. We also did our research online and received daily information from the Ministry of Health and Population and WHO, and found the vaccines were safe and effective. As a teacher, I have passed on the knowledge to the children and actively encourage all parents to get their children vaccinated.”
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Ram Hari Khatri, 59, Principal at Shree Sharada Secondary School, Panauti, Kavre
As Nepal has initiated the vaccination campaign for children (above 5 years and below 12 years), Ram feels proud that his school is a vaccination site.
"As a Nepali citizen, I have supported the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaign from the start. I have also requested all teachers to do the same. We have also taken our boosters. But I was disheartened to see that the children could not get the life-saving vaccines. They are the future leaders. They can also get infected. Now, with this new campaign, my school staff are I are in full swing to make sure all children receive their dose. We will make all administration and logistics go smoothly, and I am happy my school is a part of this campaign."
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Govinda Prasad Sharma, Principal at Shree Parbati Higher Secondary School, Dhungkharka, Kavre
Govinda is now elated that the vaccines for children have been approved and Nepal has initiated the vaccination campaign for children (above 5 years and below 12 years), and children can be in the same room as their teachers.
“During lockdown, children in urban areas could attend classes online and receive their education, but children in remote areas, where even telephone lines haven’t reached, could not. They could not fully exercise their right to education. To make this campaign a success, we are also ready for counseling sessions, in case some children face side effects. I also commend the healthcare workers who are ready to travel any distance to vaccinate children without fear or anger. I am ecstatic that the children’s future are not in turmoil now.”