Lions Clubs International volunteers are stepping up to answer the urgent call for vaccine promotion through social mobilization efforts in India. Measles and rubella are easily preventable with vaccines, but many children remain unvaccinated due to questions, concerns, and misinformation surrounding immunization programs. Over the next two years, local Lions Clubs volunteers will participate in local vaccination programs by canvassing the country to immunize a target of over 408 million children and educate parents on the benefits, safety, and availability of the measles-rubella vaccine.
As strong community leaders with a world-wide presence, the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) is an invaluable partner in ensuring demand for and education around life-saving immunizations. Established in 2013, Gavi and LCIF have blended financial support with in-country advocacy, communication, and social mobilization activities to prevent measles and rubella. LCIF has committed to US$30 million for the vaccine’s procurement through a contribution that will be matched by the Gavi Matching Fund, totaling US$60 million. By the end of 2017, LCIF’s commitment to Gavi has the potential to reach 87.7 million children with measles and measles-rubella vaccines, avert 61,000 future deaths, and procure 97.8 million doses.
Lions Clubs in India participating in an MR campaign at local schools.
Editor's note: This is a guest post by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
