COVID-19

A-big-thank-you Protecting the next generation through vaccines is a mission we’ve shared across continents and centuries. It's a mission that’s paid off. Vaccines have saved more lives than any other invention in human history. That’s a remarkable achievement and there are a lot of people who have made that possible. They deserve our gratitude.…, Agatha Nyakayisiki smiles as her mother Josephine Kansiime carries her ahead of receiving a routine immunization. Read this love letter to someone you've never met., His name was James Phipps, and in 1796 when he was just 8 years old, Edward Jenner gave him the first modern vaccine. This vaccine defended him against smallpox. It was inspired by centuries of innovation by the physicians of North Africa, the grandmothers of Constantinople and the doctors of Ming Dynasty China, all seeking ways to protect the…, Our thanks and our gratitude , going-above-and-beyond, Going above and beyond, There are so many people that have gone above and beyond to protect children with vaccines. Of course, all the scientists who have invented lifesaving vaccines down the years. Then there are the volunteers in vaccine trials and the workers who pack vials at factories. Now, imagine all the boat crews, the pilots, the drivers and the healthcare…, Strong health systems, We also pay tribute to every government that takes health care seriously. Because right now, it’s never been clearer. The only way out of an epidemic – or a pandemic – is equitable healthcare and stronger health systems for all. Find out more about what a How the COVID-19 pandemic is proving it’s crucial to improve health systems strong health…, A crucial moment, We say thanks at a pivotal point in time. In the past two decades, more than 1.1 billion children have been immunized. Every year, vaccines save the lives of up to 3 million children. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, for the first time in 30 years, the routine immunization of children has slipped. As we invest to recover from the pandemic, we…, One more important person to thank, You. That’s right. If you’ve ever been vaccinated, you’re part of the arm-to-arm chain that keeps every one of us safe. You are the living proof of what humanity can do. Thank you so much.

Nearly two-thirds of 10-year-olds are estimated to be unable to read and understand a simple text. Without urgent action, this global learning crisis will become a generational catastrophe. Education systems are failing our children.     Education systems were already failing our children even before the pandemic. COVID-19  exacerbated this…, Get involved, Learn what needs to happen For partners and policymakers For young people UNICEF in action, What needs to happen, UNICEF is calling on governments to:, Reach every child and keep them in school  Assess learning levels regularly Prioritize teaching the fundamentals  Increase catch-up learning and progress beyond what was lost Develop psychosocial health and well-being so every child is ready to learn. Governments and education stakeholders around the world are urged to endorse the  Commitment to…, For partners and policymakers, We need urgent action from governments and other partners to invest in education. Without ambitious action on basic reading and maths, with a focus on the most marginalized children, we will fail to achieve the SDGs by 2030.  NEW REPORT: Less than half of all countries surveyed have a specific focus on foundational literacy and numeracy in their…, For young people, Did you know that education is a human right? But too many children around the world still don’t go to school. And an even larger number of kids who are in schools, aren’t getting the quality education they deserve. Express your views and support for the issues that matter to you on Voices of Youth – UNICEF's digital community for youth, by youth., For parents, Is your child getting ready for preschool or is anxious about going back to school? Find tips on how to support them, as well as many other parenting resources on UNICEF’s Parenting Hub . , For teachers, Children depend on their teachers to help them catch-up on lost learning in a safe and supportive environment. UNICEF stands with teachers everywhere in calling for more investment, training and support for their work. Meet Lessly, an incredible teacher from Zambia, who's on a mission to help her students catch up on their learning., UNICEF in action, Learn more

17/09/21 We are facing an education crisis. For nearly 77 million children, the pandemic has taken away their classrooms for the past 18 months. Schoolchildren worldwide have lost 1.8 trillion hours and counting of in-person learning due to COVID-19 lockdowns. The right to go to school and learn is central to every child’s development, safety and…, No Time to Lose installation at the United Nations, Why schools should reopen as soon as possible, “Children should return to in-person learning as soon as possible” The cost of school closures on students’ learning, health and well-being has been devastating.  The repercussions for every child, their family, their community and their economy will be felt for years to come. Many children will never catch up. School closures impact every child,…, Supported by:, The African Council of Religious Leaders Africa Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement Educate a Child Education Above All Foundation The Education Commission EEAS-European External Action Service European Commission – Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations European Parliament intergroup…, #ReopenSchools, “I miss them [teachers and classmates] a lot.” Brithany, 11, Ecuador "[E]very second is important to be able to study," Alisha, 15, Pakistan “All kids around the world should go to school in person.” Favour, 12, South Africa “It’s better to go to school because it’s the gateway to the future.” Darina, 16, Spain

Donate doses now is a campaign on vaccine equity that ran during 2021, led by UNICEF and partner organizations.  Vaccines allow us to come together – in schools, communities and places of worship. They are crucial to bringing the pandemic under control, so we can get back to doing the things we enjoy, with the people we love. Show your support for…, The challenge , By the end of 2021, more than 9 billion vaccine doses had been administered worldwide. About half of the global population had received the primary vaccination series. But profound inequities in vaccine access remain. In some low-income countries, less than 5 per cent of people have received their shots.  While we need even more vaccines to meet…, The solution, Dose donations are an immediate, short term, and urgent solution to improving equitable and fair access to safe and affordable COVID-19 vaccines. Right now, it is urgent that well-supplied countries donate as many doses as possible, quickly. Countries that have already pledged doses must turn these into reality now. Meanwhile, countries with…, Ensuring equitable access, Dose donations are an essential part of ensuring fair access to vaccines. But while getting donated vaccine doses to the countries that need them is the most urgent step, it is only one step in a longer journey. Equitable access also means supporting countries’ capacity to get vaccines into arms. Without adequate funding and support for in-country…, UNICEF’s call to action:, Currently, many countries support dose donation in principle and have signalled intent to donate doses. However, we can’t wait any longer. Immediate time-bound donations are urgently needed to address the global vaccine inequities and to prevent further deadly surges of COVID-19 around the world. High income countries with adequate supplies of…

The G7 Summit is a vital opportunity for G7 leaders to agree the actions that will get COVID-19 vaccines where they are most needed, fast

This letter was part of the Donate Doses Now campaign. The initiative on vaccine equity ran during 2021 and was led by UNICEF and partner organizations.  Dear G7 leaders, The world has spent a year and a half battling the COVID-19 pandemic, but the virus is still spreading in many countries and producing new variants with the potential to put us…, UNICEF Ambassadors and supporters:, Ramla Ali Fernando Alonso David Beckham Sanjeev Bhaskar Orlando Bloom José Manuel Calderón Sofia Carson Gemma Chan Priyanka Chopra Jonas Olivia Colman Billie Eilish Pau Gasol Whoopi Goldberg Selena Gomez David Harewood Keeley Hawes Sir Chris Hoy Angelique Kidjo Téa Leoni Jeremy Lin Lucy Liu Juan Manuel López Iturriaga Ewan McGregor Leo Messi…

Vaccines save lives., Since the late 18th century, vaccines have reduced the scourge of diseases such as polio, measles and smallpox, saving millions. Now, they are one of our best tools to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and help us get back to the people and things we love and enjoy. Help spread the word that vaccines are safe and effective. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine?…