The Japan Committee, Vaccines for the World’s Children (JCV), a non-profit organisation that works to support routine immunization in developing countries around the world, recently joined UNICEF on a field mission to Champassak and Attapeu provinces of the Lao PDR.

During their visit to Champassak and Attapeu provinces between March 28 and 29, the JCV delegation had the opportunity to observe the vaccination system at local health centres, and vaccination outreach services at schools and communities.

“The visit will help us identify strategic areas of support for the Lao PDR’s routine immunization programme and ways in which JCV, and in essence the people of Japan, can better support the Lao PDR in ensuring life-saving vaccines are within reach of all children as per our mission,” said Director-General of JCV Okudera Noriho.

The people of Japan have been long-time supporters of the Lao PDR’s routine immunization programme.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan has also been a close supporter of the Lao PDR in its national pandemic response activities and vaccination campaign. These support included the provision of more than 300,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the Lao PDR as well as cold chain equipment such as vaccine carriers, fridges, cold boxes, alongside special refrigerated vehicles for Xekong and Attapeu provinces for the transport of vaccines across vast distances.

“UNICEF thanks JCV and the people of Japan for their strong cooperation on the immunization here in the Lao PDR. We hope that this visit by the JCV delegation will help to further cement the strong existing collaboration between the two countries for the benefit of more Lao children,” said UNICEF Representative to the Lao PDR, Pia Rebello Britto.

Source: Lao News Agency