WILL THERE BE VACCINES FOR THE NEW WUHAN CORONA VIRUS?

Work has begun at multiple organizations to develop a vaccine for this new strain of coronavirus, known among scientists as 2019-nCoV.

This work involves designing the vaccine constructs. Once safety and efficacy are established, vaccines can advance into clinical trials in humans. If the vaccines induce the expected immune response and protection and are found safe, they can be mass produced for vaccination of the population. Vaccine development will likely take months.

But, do you know that something far deadlier than the Wuhan coronavirus lurks near you? Worldwide, the flu (influenza) causes up to 5 million cases of severe illness worldwide and kills up to 650,000 people every year. Measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 5,000 people in the past year – more than twice as many as Ebola according to the World Health Organization. Most kids who die from the flu and measles haven’t been immunized against it. And many were previously healthy.

Vaccines not only keep individuals healthy, they also help keep communities healthy. However, when vaccination rates in communities fall below the needed levels for “community immunity” (also known as “community protection” and “herd immunity”), infectious diseases that we no longer see as often in this country can easily come back (ex. Polio), causing vulnerable people of all ages to get seriously ill (WHO, 2019).

The Department of Health (DOH) points to vaccine hesitancy as one of the reasons for the recent measles outbreaks in some regions of the country. Vaccine hesitancy refers to delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability of vaccination services.

As the Wuhan Coronavirus epidemic continues to spread, take simple precautions that can protect you from contracting the coronavirus. Let’s be safe. Do not panic.

Learn more about immunization & how #VaccinesSaveLives in Empower 6.0 Health & Wellness Advocacy Camp and be an advocate!

DATE: APRIL 14-22, 2022

VENUE: MANSALAY, OR. MINDORO

PARTICIPANTS: Open to youth leaders, SK officials, students & student leaders, health & wellness advocates and young professionals (18 to 35 years old).

Contact 09083442590 or email empowersecreatariat@gmail.com for details.

#Empower7 #HopeKeepers #HealthWarriors

[Empower is the youth engagement and advocacy platform of Keep Hope Alive]

(Sources: UNAIDS, DOH, Inquirer).

Like this page for updates.

PRE-REGISTER HERE: bit.ly/empower60

#Empower6 #HopeKeepers #HealthWarriors #EndTheStigma

[Empower is the youth engagement and advocacy platform of Keep Hope Alive]