Two new malaria vaccines at the center of efforts
November 17, 2024
Photo by Mirko Sajkov from Pixabay
The PC(USA) Africa Missionary Network and the Office of the Notary Public (OPW) in Washington, D.C., are working together to advocate for the U.S. government to support vaccinations in low-income countries through Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Specifically, there are two new malaria vaccines approved for use by the World Health Organization (WHO) that have proven successful after decades of research.
OPW and African Missionary Network co-sponsored legislation to urge Presbyterians to secure funding for Gabi through House Resolution 1286 and Senate Resolution 684, and to secure funding for the President’s Malaria Initiative in the appropriations process. We encourage you to contact your senators and representatives to support us. They affirmed continued bipartisan Congressional support for vaccine purchases in low-income countries as a cost-effective and efficient means to reduce infant and maternal deaths. The OPW Action Alert, which provides a template for sending digital support letters to personnel, was recently published.
Templates and alerts can be found here.
Additionally, churches can download inserts and display PowerPoint slides. This provides program information and allows congregants to access letter templates via QR code or website.
Statistics show that 95% of malaria-related deaths occur in Africa, and 80% of malaria deaths are suffered by children under the age of five. According to its website, Gavi partners with organizations such as WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, donors, governments, NGOs, and research and technical health institutions to develop new and underutilized medical Improving access to institutions. Vaccines for millions of vulnerable children. Since 2000, we have helped vaccinate more than 1 billion children in 78 low-income countries.
Its business model emphasizes the importance of national accountability for immunization by requiring countries to pay a portion of vaccination costs and invest in childhood immunization. To date, nearly 20 countries have fully funded their immunization programs through this model.
“Malaria is a major health problem, especially for children under five, so there is a strong need for effective preventive measures. Vaccines provide an additional layer of protection, and existing tools such as bed nets and anti-malarial drugs ” said Pastor Dr. Pascal Batalingaya, President of the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda. “By integrating malaria vaccines into health services, churches can complement existing measures such as bed nets and anti-malarial drugs and provide a more comprehensive approach to malaria prevention and treatment.”
The Zambia Council of Churches issued the following statement:
“A vaccine has the potential to significantly reduce the malaria mortality rate, which currently stands at 4 deaths per day in Zambia, including among individuals in our congregation, and will reduce the disease burden in our congregations to production.” It hinders sexuality and puts additional pressure on pastoral work.”
“Given the toll that malaria takes on families (loss of life, abortion, school absences, anemia, poverty), a vaccine will be warmly welcomed by the population,” said Presbyterian Dr. Pacio Cianza. . Congolese community.
Scott O’Neill, Communication Strategist, Presbyterian Church (USA)
Revised Common Dictionary Readings for Sunday, November 17, 2024, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
Today’s focus: PC(US) Department asks US to fund vaccine assistance
Join us in prayer for:
PC(USA)Agency Staff
Myung Ho Yang and Ji Yong Yu, Presbyterian Missionary Service mission partners serving in Hong Kong.
Cindy Yates, Maturity Specialist, Presbyterian Foundation
let’s pray
Triune God, you call us every day to join you in your mission. Remember, we can serve in our communities, across our nation, or on foreign soil. Open our hearts to your transforming power, so that our fruits may be acceptable to your sight. In Christ we pray. Amen.
