This month we recognize National Immunization Awareness Month. Along with blood donations and disaster relief, the Red Cross helps cultivate immunization around the world in places such as Kenya, Benin and Ethiopia. This is critical because about 360 children die every day from the measles virus. This tragic reality is attributed to a lack of access to proper immunizations. To provide help where it's needed most, the American Red Cross partners with the International Federation of the Red Cross and Crescent Societies to create Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIA) that provide funding, awareness, and education in support of immunizations.
One of the SIA tactics used is house-to-house consultations, which educates the public and gets as many people vaccinated as possible. Since 2001, roughly two billion children have been vaccinated, reducing global measles deaths by 79% or approximately 20.3 million. The Red Cross and all of its volunteers are committed to putting an end to child deaths caused by the measles and rubella viruses. It costs about $2 to vaccinate a child against measles and rubella, making it one of the most cost-effective health interventions available.
Together, we can make a difference.
Please consider donating to the Measles & Rubella Initiative. Text PREVENT to 90999 to give $10 to the Red Cross and help us vaccinate children against measles.
Learn more about the Measles and Rubella Initiative.
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