SHILLONG, Jan 21: UNICEF is collaborating with faith leaders, village elders, and platforms such as the Shillong All Faith Forum to overcome challenges posed by religious beliefs and encourage vaccination in traditionally resistant communities.
Georgina Lamare, state Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) consultant for UNICEF, emphasised how faith leaders play a significant role in shaping community attitudes and behaviours. By working with them, UNICEF aims to break the chain of resistance and mistrust in certain areas.
Through dialogue and awareness campaigns led by religious figures, the organisation hopes to dispel myths about vaccines and emphasize their benefits for public health and economic stability. This was one of the key highlights discussed during a media workshop in Shillong.
Lamare said vaccination is not just a cost-effective healthcare intervention but also a crucial tool in reducing poverty.
Purvi Malhotra of UNICEF said, “Immunisation prevents disease-related hospitalisations and protects households from falling into poverty due to medical expenses.”
A study by BMJ, one of the leading global health journals, highlights how immunisation can contribute to poverty reduction by preventing catastrophic healthcare costs (CHC) and medical impoverishment caused by vaccine-preventable diseases.
According to the study, if immunisation coverage increases significantly, the incidence of CHC due to diseases like measles, severe pneumococcal disease, and severe rotavirus could drop dramatically. For instance, in 41 low- and middle-income countries, CHC cases caused by measles alone could decrease from 19 million to 3 million if best-case immunisation scenarios are achieved with support such as funding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Moreover, the study estimates that vaccine programmes can provide substantial financial risk protection (FRP), particularly for the poorest households, which often bear the brunt of disease-related economic burdens. This underscores the role of vaccines in global poverty reduction efforts as the world works toward eliminating poverty by 2030.
In Meghalaya, faith-driven vaccine hesitancy is coupled with other logistical and awareness issues, particularly in rural areas. By engaging with religious leaders and leveraging their influence, UNICEF is creating a bridge to reach otherwise resistant families. The goal is to transform mindsets and demonstrate that vaccines are not only about individual health but also about protecting families and communities from economic hardship.
