Belize City, Belize, July 29, 2021 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) handed over t-shirts, bumper stickers, and a Smart Samsung TV with mount as the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) intensifies its COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign – Before You Relax, Get Vax. This was made possible through generous funding support from the Government of Germany and the European Union (EU) under the Health Sector Support Programme (HSSP) Belize project.
As an effort to increase awareness of the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19, these Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials are a public health intervention aimed at reinforcing positive health-related behaviors such as vaccination. These items will provide the public with the opportunity to be a part of the message. By wearing the t-shirts or placing the bumper stickers on the vehicle, the public participates in raising awareness especially at the community level.
“PAHO/WHO encourages countries to educate and inform the public on COVID-19 and the vaccines,” said Dr. Edwin Bolastig, PAHO/WHO Health Systems and Services Advisor. “PAHO/WHO commends Belize for its untiring efforts to raise awareness on the importance of COVID-19 vaccines and for organizing mass vaccination campaigns nationwide to ensure access to these protective vaccines.”
Public willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 is of high priority to achieve the goal of reaching the eligible target populations; thus, health communication strategies play a vital role in informing people to make the best possible decisions especially during public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As the MoHW Communications team and other colleagues continue their activities in visiting the districts, villages and public spaces such as markets and bus terminals throughout the country, this donation allows them to continue this work in raising awareness to encourage the public to get vaccinated and continue to practice public health measures,” said Dr. Deysi Mendez, Chief Executive Officer of the MoHW.
PAHO/WHO continues to support the Ministry of Health and Wellness and collaborate with partners like the Government of Germany and the European Union as we keep up the fight against COVID-19.
