Health Ministry launches immunisation campaign for children aged 12-17, parents

AMMAN — The Ministry of Health on Thursday launched a new phase of the national immunisation campaign, targeting students between 12 and 17 years old and their families.

The campaign aims to encourage parents to get their children double-vaccinated as part of the preparations for the second semester's in-class education, which begins next Sunday, to protect them and their families from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

The campaign promotes educational messages in partnership with media outlets using a variety of promotional methods.

The ministry underlined the importance of receiving the vaccine for students and raising awareness on its importance, stressing that the vaccine is “safe” and that the virus and its variants are a health threat.

The efforts are carried out in partnership with the ministry's Primary Health Care Department, the Health Awareness and Media Department and USAID.

USAID Mission Director Sherry Carlin stressed the importance of the agency's ongoing support to respond to the pandemic in Jordan, noting that vaccination is essential to reduce severe symptoms of the coronavirus, and to ensure that “us and those around us remain safe."

She pointed out that vaccinations are "safe and effective," and are the best way to end this pandemic.

The campaign was designed through the USAID-funded Nutrition and Community Health Project, and is implemented by the Family Health International to support national efforts to promote the vaccine among parents and their children between the ages of 12-17, according to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health.