Islamic Republic of Afghanistan: The Immunity Charm

Remote Areas, illiteracy and traditional biases against vaccines mean Afghanistan has a vaccination completion rate of just 50%. Doctors face a lack of immunization history as parents do not maintain vaccination charts. To counter these traditional biases, we turned to another Afghan tradition. A bracelet, tied on infants to ward off evil forces, now also protects them from disease. The Immunity Charm comprises coloured beads, with each bead being code for a specific vaccine. On every vaccine, doctors add the corresponding bead to the bracelet. The Immunity Charm has helped doctors create real enthusiasm in Afghanistan about maintaining immunization history. Agency: McCann Health India.