“I don't think anyone can understand the importance of immunization as much as I do”

Prabin Kumar Jha works as an Administration and Finance Assistant at the Immunization Preventable Diseases (IPD) Programme at the WHO, Country Office for Nepal. He is currently based in Province 2.

Prabin, who joined WHO in 2010, says he has a special reason behind choosing the immunization department to work with.

"When I was three, I contracted polio. I don't think anyone can understand the importance of immunization as much as I do," he said.

Growing up in his village in Mahottari district, Prabin, now 47, says, there was little awareness among people about the disease, and working for an organization that has contributed significantly to increase immunization coverage in the country fills him with pride.

“Although my job is in administration, I try to participate in public awareness programs related to immunization as much as I can. I explain the importance of getting vaccinated to people in the villages so that other children don’t have to suffer the same fate as mine,” said Prabin.

The IPD unit in Province 2 is supporting the Government’s routine immunization program as well as the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

Prabin highlights the need to ensure routine immunization programs do not suffer due to the pandemic as it will undo the achievements that Nepal has made in eliminating many of the diseases including polio. Nepal was declared polio-free in 2014.

He notes that initially there was a lot of hesitancy among people in the communities about the COVID-19 vaccine. But he is glad to see that joint advocacy from the Government of Nepal and WHO has led to change in people’s attitude and resulted in wider acceptance of the vaccine.

Prabin has an appeal for everyone: “I request everyone to get vaccinated as vaccines prevent disability. Vaccines save lives.”