Health

Health UNICEF works day in and day out, in some of the world’s toughest places, to protect children’s rights and safeguard their futures. On the ground in over 190 countries and territories, we reach more children and young people than any other international organization. Explore our health programmes and initiatives., Learn more

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01 September 2021 Masks help stop the COVID-19 virus from spreading, but that doesn’t make them easy to introduce to children, as many parents have been discovering. The practice of wearing a mask to reduce the transmission of germs has a long history in some countries. But for many families, 2020 will be remembered as the first time putting on a…, Why wear a mask or face covering?, One of the main ways that COVID-19 spreads is through respiratory droplets that people expel when they talk, sing, cough or sneeze. While research is ongoing, we now know that the virus can be spread by people not showing symptoms, meaning some people can be contagious and not even realize it. That is one of the reasons why physical distancing is…, What type of mask should I get for my family? , Non-medical masks (also called fabric masks or face coverings): If you and your family live in a place where COVID-19 is widespread and don’t have any COVID-19 symptoms, then non-medical masks are recommended. Medical masks: Medical masks are in short supply globally because of the pandemic. They are recommended if you or a family member is at a…, What type of fabric mask is best?, Fabric masks or face coverings come in a wide variety of materials and can be something you make at home or buy in a store. While research into the use of fabric masks is ongoing, their effectiveness depends on the types of fabric used and the number of layers. The World Health Organization recommends three layers made up of: an inner layer of…, What about face shields?, Face shields help provide eye protection, but are not the same as masks when it comes to protection from respiratory droplets. However, for those who have difficulties wearing a non-medical mask (people with cognitive, respiratory, or hearing impairments, for example), face shields can be considered as an alternative. If you choose to use one,…, Can wearing a mask make me sick?, While wearing a mask can be uncomfortable sometimes, it does not lead to CO2 intoxication nor oxygen deficiency. If you are wearing a medical mask, be sure it fits correctly and that it is tight enough to allow you to breathe normally. Do not re-use a disposable mask and always change it as soon as it gets damp. When wearing a fabric mask, make…, When should my family wear a mask?, Check to see if your local authorities require you to wear masks in certain settings and for any age-specific recommendations where you live.  Whether your children should wear a mask depends on a number of factors, including their age and ability to safely and appropriately use a mask.  > Jump to Is it safe for children to wear masks If COVID-…, When shouldn’t you wear a mask?, Masks should not be worn by anyone who is unable to remove the mask without help, including infants and young children, or anyone having difficulty breathing. If you or a family member has a health condition or disability that makes it difficult to wear a mask, check with your doctor for advice on what is best for you.  When exercising, choose a…, How to clean a fabric mask, Wash fabric masks using soap or detergent, preferably in hot water (at least 60 degrees Celsius) at least once a day. If machine washing, use the warmest appropriate setting for the type of fabric. If handwashing, use hot, soapy water. After washing, the mask should be dried completely before being worn again. Store masks in a clean bag., Is it safe for children to wear masks?, Based on an expert review of COVID-19 and transmission in children, and other factors such as children's psychosocial needs and developmental milestones, WHO and UNICEF advise the following: Ages 0-5 UNICEF and WHO recommend  that children aged 5 years and under should not be required to wear masks. This is based on child safety and recognizes…, How should children wear masks?, Children should follow the same principles as adults for wearing masks: Children should clean their hands for at least 20 seconds if using an alcohol-based hand rub, or at least 40 seconds if using soap and water, before putting on the mask Make sure the mask is the right size to cover the nose, mouth, and chin  Children should be taught how to…, What should I look for when getting a mask for my children? , Many masks are designed for adults and won’t fit children properly. If you are buying masks, choose one that is appropriately sized for your child. Whether you are buying or making masks for your children, check that they cover their mouth, nose and chin, and don’t have any gaps on the sides or block their vision. Make sure they can breathe…, Will wearing a mask protect my child at school?, The use of masks by children and adolescents in schools should only be considered as one part of a strategy to limit the spread of COVID-19. For information on age-specific recommendations for mask wearing, please see ‘ Is it safe for my child to wear a mask? '. WHO recommends several measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in schools and to…, How to wear a mask correctly , COVID-19 how to wear a mask correctly Correctly wearing, removing and caring for a mask is important to protect your health and those around you. Practice following this checklist with your family to turn it into a routine. When putting on a mask Always start by washing your hands with soap and water before putting on a mask.  Make sure the mask…, Talking to your children about masks, The COVID-19 pandemic has upset family life around the world causing stress, anxiety and sadness. Understandably masks may add to such feelings for many children, especially in places where they are not used to wearing masks. For younger children in particular, mask wearing can be confusing and upsetting.  If your family hasn’t worn masks before,…

Vaccinating the world against COVID-19 was the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history. UNICEF and partners, with generous support from our donors, worked around the clock to ensure that no country was left behind. COVAX, the multilateral mechanism for equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines, closed at the end of 2023…, UNICEF's role, Through the COVAX Facility – together with  Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance ,  WHO  and  CEPI  – UNICEF leveraged its unique experience as the largest single vaccine buyer in the world.   During the pandemic, we worked with manufacturers and partners on the procurement of COVID-19 vaccine doses, as well as freight, logistics and storage.  While the…

The scale of the COVID-19 crisis has been unprecedented. National governments in many countries continue to grapple with the challenges of reaching their populations with the tools they need to fight COVID-19, while also working to recover from the economic and social impacts of the pandemic. Since the start, UNICEF has been working to address the…, Find out more about UNICEF’s work, Child health and survival, The pandemic has taught everyone how important global health is and the deep inequities that exist. UNICEF is working tirelessly to make sure that every child has the access to the health care and nutrition they need to not only survive, but thrive.  Learn more, Working with donors and partners, UNICEF is reaching millions of children and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, thanks to the generous support of our donors and partners. Learn more, Responding with life-saving supplies, Despite major disruptions to global supply chains, UNICEF has been working around the clock to deliver critical supplies. Discover the items UNICEF is procuring and delivering around the world. Learn more, COVID-19 data and research, Access quality data to inform the response to the pandemic. Learn more, Children and COVID-19 research library, Visit an online, curated library of the latest research around COVID-19 and children. Learn more, Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A), The Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) is groundbreaking collaboration to bring COVID-19 vaccines, tests and treatments to everyone, everywhere. Learn more, COVAX information centre, Read about the largest vaccine supply operation ever, launched to ensure that all countries and territories participating in COVAX have equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. Learn more, Guidance and support for parents, Get expert tips and guidance on how to support your family and navigate the pandemic. Learn more, The learning crisis, Education systems were already failing our children even before the pandemic. COVID-19 has exacerbated this learning crisis and children in almost every country have fallen behind in their learning. Find out how UNICEF is tackling the learning crisis head on. Learn more, Recent news and features, Responding to COVID-19 around the world, From delivering vaccines and other life-saving health supplies, to building water and hygiene facilities, to keeping girls and boys connected to education and protection, UNICEF has been working to slow the spread of COVID-19 and minimize its impact on children worldwide. Read more about UNICEF’s impact across the globe:

Vaccines help protect children and adolescents from serious, often fatal illnesses. The table below outlines the vaccines that are recommended by most governments and doctors to keep children and populations safe from outbreaks. Vaccine Disease Symptoms and effects BCG Tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection that most often attacks the…

Vaccines save 2 to 3 million lives each year. They are essential tools for protecting ourselves and our communities. However, getting a child's first vaccines can cause a lot of anxiety for parents. We’ve rounded up the most commonly asked questions about these medical marvels to get you and your family the information you need., What are vaccines?, Vaccines are products that are usually given in childhood to protect against serious, often deadly diseases. By stimulating your body’s natural defenses, they prepare your body to fight the disease faster and more effectively. >> What you need to know about COVID-19 vaccines  , How do vaccines work?, Vaccines help your immune system fight infections more efficiently by sparking your immune response to specific diseases. Then, if the virus or bacteria ever invades your body in the future, your immune system will already know how to fight it.   Understanding vaccines: Helpful words to know, Are vaccines safe?, Vaccines are very safe. Your child is far more likely to be hurt by a vaccine-preventable disease than by a vaccine.  All vaccines go through rigorous safety testing, including clinical trials, before they are approved for the public. Countries will only register and distribute vaccines that meet rigorous quality and safety standards.  , What are live vaccines?, Live vaccines contain a version of a living virus or bacteria that has been attenuated (weakened). They teach the immune system to fight viruses and bacteria but because they are weakened, they do not cause disease in people with healthy immune systems.  , Why are vaccines important?, Vaccines save lives – 2 to 3 million per year, in fact. Vaccines will help protect your child against diseases that can cause serious harm or death, especially in people with developing immune systems like infants. It’s important to vaccinate your child. If not, highly contagious diseases such as measles, diphtheria and polio, which were once…, Can my baby handle all of these vaccines?, Yes. Many parents worry that multiple vaccines will overload their child’s immune system. But children are exposed to hundreds of germs every day. In fact, a common cold or sore throat will put a greater burden on your child’s immune system than vaccines. Mini Parenting Master Class: Your baby's first vaccines, But these diseases are not present in my community. Why do I still need to vaccinate my child?, Although the diseases may be eliminated in your country or region, our increasingly interconnected world means that these diseases could spread from areas where they are still present.  , What is herd immunity?, If enough people in your community are immunized against a certain disease, you can reach something called herd immunity. When this happens, diseases can’t spread easily from person to person because most people are immune. This provides a layer of protection against the disease even for those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants. Herd…, Can a vaccine cause my baby to get sick?, Vaccines are extremely safe and serious side effects are rare. Almost all sickness or discomfort after vaccination is minor and temporary, such as a soreness at the injection site or mild fever. These can often be controlled by taking over-the-counter pain medication as advised by a doctor, or applying a cold cloth to the injection site. If…, What diseases do vaccines prevent?, Vaccines protect your child against serious illnesses like polio, which can cause paralysis; measles, which can cause brain swelling and blindness; and tetanus, which can cause painful muscle contractions and difficulty eating and breathing, especially in newborns.  >> Read Vaccines and the diseases they prevent  , Can I delay the vaccine schedule?, One of the best ways you can protect your child is to follow the recommended vaccine schedule in your country. Any time you delay a vaccine, you’re increasing your child’s vulnerability to disease.  , Can I let my child get the chickenpox instead of getting the vaccine?, Although chickenpox is a mild disease that many parents will remember from childhood (the vaccine was introduced in 1995), some children will develop serious cases with complications that can be fatal or cause permanent disabilities. The vaccine eliminates the risk of complications from the disease, and prevents children from infecting their…, What is the recommended vaccine schedule?, Immunization schedules vary by country depending on which diseases are most prevalent. You can find an overview of the recommended vaccines and approximate dates from your local health centre, doctor or your government’s Ministry of Health.   >>  Learn more about vaccines

The COVID-19 pandemic remains a crisis on an unprecedented scale. National governments continue to grapple with the challenges of implementing public health measures, maintaining essential health and social services, and reaching populations – especially the hardest to reach – with COVID-19 tools. New variants continue to emerge as the pandemic…, ACT-A HAC appeal for 2022, Venezuela. COVID-19 vaccines are offloaded from a plane. To do our part in the ACT-A cooperation framework,  UNICEF requires US$1.3 billion  for its ACT-A Humanitarian Action for Children (HAC) appeal, to deliver lifesaving vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics for COVID-19 in 2022. This includes $575 million to support the delivery of COVID-19…, ACT-A HAC 2022 results, As of 10 January 2023, $882.2 million has been received thanks to: Donor Amount (US$) Gavi 268.9 million United States of America 203.4 million Germany 145.9 million Canada 135.3 million Private Sector 69.2 million Japan 38.5 million Australia 12.8 million Italy 3.3 million United Nations Joint Programme* 2.7 million Iceland 1.9 million China 800,…, COVID-19 response: 2022 results, UNICEF is responding to COVID-19 across 145 countries and territories through 52 appeals in 2022  UNICEF continues to respond to the urgent needs caused by COVID-19, outlined in the country, multi-country and regional Humanitarian Action for Children appeals , as children around the world continue to miss out on essential services crucial for…, Previous appeals results, A UNICEF staff member stands in a warehouse of supplies. ACT-A HAC: 2021 results, Contributions bar chart UNICEF As of 9 March 2022, $828.2 million had been received thanks to:     Donor Donation (US$) Private sector 287.6 million GAVI 184.5 million Japan 122.5 million Germany 56.3 million United States 50.7 million Norway* 50 million European Commission/ECHO 31.9 million Australia 13.7 million Canada 7.6 million New Zealand 7.…, Bangladesh. A girl washes her hands. COVID-19 response results from 2021, With the timely and generous support of our donors and partners, UNICEF has received $471.6M to support its COVID-19 response in 2021: Donor Donation (US$) Private Sector 91.7 million United States 110 million Germany 109.2 million Canada 26.7 million UNOPS - New York 14.9 million World Bank (as secondary donor) 12.6 million European Commission 11…, Côte d'Ivoire. A child holds up a sign. 2020 COVID-19 Appeal, As of the end of 2020, $1.62 billion had been committed thanks to contributions from:  Resource partner Donation (US$) Germany 251.8 million Global Partnership for Education 239.2 million United States 174.7 million United Kingdom 150.9 million Private Sector 144.4 million World Bank 117.3 million Japan 112.2 million European Union 62.7 million…

The Ebola virus is relentless and devastating. UNICEF and partners are continuing to ramp up their response

Past, present and future: Test your knowledge of baby trends!

A renewed commitment to primary health care to achieve universal health coverage

Conflict in the Kasai region at a glance, What is the Kasai crisis?, Violence initially flared in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in August 2016, sparked by tensions between customary chiefs in Kasai-Central Province and the government. The violence spread rapidly in early 2017. Existing intercommunity tensions became part of a wider conflict involving militias, armed groups and security…, How many people have been affected?, When violence broke out in 2016, hundreds of thousands of people ran for their lives. Women and children displaced by violence have escaped to isolated locations to find safety – losing access to essential goods and services such as health care, safe water and sanitation, and education. The militias have used children to fight and kill, or to act…, How is UNICEF helping?, UNICEF is on the ground helping to deliver life-saving supplies and services. Since January 2017, UNICEF and partners have treated 71,500 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition; and, since August 2017, vaccinated 2 million children for measles; provided access to water, sanitation and hygiene services for more than 326,400 children; and…, Call to action: For the children of Kasai, UNICEF and its partners have achieved some critical results for children in the Kasai region. However, if humanitarian action is not stepped up in 2018: 400,000 children will be at risk of dying because of severe acute malnutrition. Thousands of children formerly associated with the militias will lack the support they need to reintegrate into…, Fast facts, Children and militias, Perhaps the most horrifying aspect of the crisis in Kasai is the use of children by militias. At least 60 per cent of the region’s militia forces are composed of children, according to the interagency Global Education Cluster and Global Protection Cluster. The militias use children to fight and kill, or to act as human shields. All of them have to…, Nutrition crisis , While the security situation has stabilized in parts of the Kasai region and displaced populations have begun to return to their communities, humanitarian conditions remain critical. More than 770,000 young children are malnourished, including 400,000 children – a staggering 10 per cent of the under-5 population – who urgently need treatment to…, Health crisis, Beyond the threat of malnutrition, the children of the Kasai region face a continuing health crisis. Many young children missed out on scheduled vaccinations because violence and displacement destroyed health centres and disrupted immunization campaigns – making them even more susceptible to deadly childhood diseases. Even for people who were not…, Education disrupted, The disruption of education by the conflict is robbing the children in the Kasai region of a viable future. Almost half a million children in the region were unable to complete the school year in 2017 and school attendance is likely to be disrupted by violence in 2018 as well. Since the beginning of the conflict, 416 primary and secondary schools…, Displaced by violence, The violence in the Kasai has generated massive displacement. The impact this experience will have on lives and futures is difficult to imagine. People hiding in the bush are the most vulnerable and difficult to reach with assistance. They have no real shelter and lack drinking water, sanitation, food and health care. Others live with their…, Voices from the Kasai, A youth at a UNICEF-supported reintegration centre for children associated with armed groups, in Kananga, Kasai region, Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC. Children on the frontline Thousands of children in Kasai have been associated with militias and experienced atrocities > More A mother holds her sleeping baby at a health centre in Kasai…, UNICEF's response, UNICEF is on the ground working with partners to reach children with lifesaving assistance: Preventing and treating severe acute malnutrition among the region’s children by distributing therapeutic food and training health workers, mothers and community members in infant and young child feeding practices. Improving children’s access to health care…, Beyond Kasai: The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Learn more, UNICEF Child Alert | Kasai: A children’s crisis Humanitarian Situation Reports: Democratic Republic of the Congo UNICEF 2018 appeal: Democratic Republic of the Congo