UEFA and Gavi are working together to harness the power of football to raise awareness about vaccines in Africa.
Through the Goal Getters program, supported by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and its member associations, youth tournaments will be used to teach children about the role of vaccines in preventing deadly diseases.
The campaign kicked off on Thursday at the Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba, Eswatini’s capital. Around 400 children aged 10-14 temporarily paused their participation in the national phase of the CAF African Schools Football Championship to attend a groundbreaking vaccine awareness workshop.
The program aims to provide children with engaging and educational content about vaccines, combining football with music and local culture.
FOOTBALL AND MUSIC TO SERVE AS TOOLS FOR AWARENESS
In Eswatini, UEFA ambassador and former England international Eniola Aluko, alongside popular singers, entertainers, health officials, and faith leaders, explained the importance of getting vaccinated to the children.
“Goal Getters demonstrates football’s incredible potential to drive positive change in society,” said Aluko.
“By teaching young footballers about the life-saving power of vaccines, we are also delivering the same messages to their families and communities.”
Many children in Eswatini have limited access to healthcare, making vaccine awareness critical for the community.
THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN BENEFITED FROM LAST YEAR’S CAMPAIGN
This week’s event at the national stadium builds on last year’s school-based immunisation campaign.
The previous campaign reached thousands of children across Eswatini, providing HPV and COVID-19 vaccines, as well as deworming and nutritional services.
Goal Getters’ official launch this week follows a successful pilot project in Tanzania.
Last January, over 100 players participating in the inaugural CAF Under-17 Girls Integrated Football Tournament (GIFT) learned about the HPV vaccine, which protects millions of women against the primary cause of cervical cancer.
Teams from Burundi, Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, and the host nation brainstormed ideas on how to better inform their peers and communities about HPV risks and presented their ideas to the audience. The event concluded with joyful dances set to the children’s favorite music.
Next December, Goal Getters plans to run a similar workshop to raise awareness about the HPV vaccine at the upcoming CAF Under-17 GIFT tournament.