Mbabane 1 June 2011 -- The Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) of the Kingdom of Swaziland Mr Themba Nhlanganiso Masuku with support from WHO and UNICEF launched the First African Vaccination Week today. As a demonstration of the highest political commitment and a call for the people of Swaziland to ensure that their children are routinely vaccinated, the launch was conducted by the Deputy Prime Minister himself under the slogan, “Vaccinated communities; Healthy communities”. He was flanked by the Hon.

Minister for Health Mr Benedict Xaba, the WHO Representative Dr Owen Kaluwa, and the USA Ambassador to Swaziland Mr Earl Irving. The event could not have been aptly handled by any other competent government official other than the Deputy Prime Minister. In this country , children welfare issues including child protection are under the orbit of the DPM’s office and his span of work.

The timing of the African Vaccination Week launch in 1st June could not have been niched at a better time - June is the Children’s Month. Speaking at this occasion, the DPM applauded the WHO, UNICEF and US embassy for organizing the Child Health Days, prefaced by African Vaccination Week as one of the major activities to be conducted in during the month of June. He made a passionate plea to all communities in Swaziland to ensure that all children are immunized during the month. “There will be mobile services in the various strategic points throughout the country and as immunization services continue to be provided routinely at the clinic and health centres”.