[3 October 2012]
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| © Japan Committee for UNICEF |
| Vaccinations being provided in Rikuzentakata City in June 2011 thanks to generous donor support. |
The Japan Committee for UNICEF (JCU) has decided to build on its efforts from 2011 by continuing to subsidize influenza vaccinations for children in 29 municipalities in the coastal areas of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures—all areas devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake. Accordingly, JCU is working through the municipal health authorities to subsidize 2,000 yen of the cost of each vaccination. This will effectively aid the delivery of vaccinations to approximately 160,000 children between the ages of six-months to junior high school in the municipalities listed below. Subsidy procedures differ by municipality, but generally residents requesting vaccinations are able to pay their physician the difference in cost after the JCU subsidy.
Municipalities eligible for the subsidy:
| Iwate | Miyako, Kamaishi, Rikuzentakata, Ofunato, Sumida, Otsuchi, Yamada, Iwazumi, Tanohata |
|---|---|
| Miyagi | Kesennuma, Ishinomaki, Higashi-Matsushima, Minamisanriku, Onagawa, Yamamoto, Watari |
| Fukushima | Soma, Minamisoma, Iwaki, Tomioka, Okuma, Namie, Iitate, Shinchi, Futaba, Hirono, Naraha, Sendai, Katsurao |
(Municipalities presented in random order)
In addition to vaccinations, handwashing and gargling are two very easy and effective ways to prevent influenza and various infectious diseases. As a matter of fact, it is said that by simply washing the hands properly with soap, nearly one million children in developing countries who would otherwise be expected to die before the age of five due to poor sanitation and hygienic practices can be saved.
Global Handwashing Day is 15 October. Take this opportunity to learn the six rules of proper handwashing.
The movie below is of the Global Handwashing Dance, a dance used as a fun way to teach children the correct way to wash their hands. Try it yourself!
