YOHEDA Commerates the 2023 African Vaccination Week
African Vaccination Week 2023 was marked by vibrant youth engagement, creativity, and advocacy, as we hosted an impactful Art Competition to raise awareness about the importance of immunisation. Under the theme “Convincing Parents to Vaccinate Their Children,” the competition aimed to educate communities on the life-saving benefits of vaccines while tackling misconceptions that often hinder immunisation efforts.
Open to young people aged 10 to 29, the competition invited participants to express their understanding and advocacy for vaccination through various artistic formats, including blog articles, drawings, poems, videos, slams, and photographs. By providing a creative platform, we encouraged young voices to contribute meaningfully to public health dialogue and serve as advocates for vaccine awareness in their communities.
Running throughout April 2023, over 60 young artists submit compelling works that highlighted the urgency and importance of childhood vaccination. The initiative garnered significant attention, with participants demonstrating exceptional talent in blending art with public health messaging.
To close the competition, we held an award ceremony on April 25, 2023, in Yaounde, under the patronage of the Ministry of Public Health, to honor the top three winners of the competition. The event not only celebrated artistic excellence but also reinforced the role of young people as key stakeholders in the fight against vaccine hesitancy. Magué Lontsi Ange claimed the first prize with a powerful blog article that eloquently captured the necessity of vaccination. William Ngul Bikideg secured second place with an engaging video that creatively addressed common concerns and misconceptions about vaccines. Ferry Morel Kenne Tamafo took third place with a deeply moving poem that illustrated the impact of immunisation on child survival and well-being.
The ceremony was a testament to YOHEDA’s commitment to empowering young people through advocacy and education. By merging art and health communication, we successfully engaged youth in meaningful discourse, fostering a generation of informed advocates for immunisation and public health.
As the 2023 edition of African Vaccination Week concluded, we reaffirmed our dedication to promoting accurate vaccine information and combating misinformation through innovative initiatives. Moving forward, we intend to expand our outreach and continue leveraging art as a tool for health education, ensuring that the message of immunisation reaches even more communities across Africa.
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