Laos Strengthens Child Health Through Vaccination and Community Engagement

Vientiane: A national training workshop on 'Promoting Child Health in the Lao PDR Through Vaccination and Strengthening Media and Community Participation' was held on March 18, 2026, in Vientiane Capital. The event was chaired by Kikeo Khaykhamphithoun and attended by representatives from the Lao Front for National Development, Commission for Information and Education of the Central Committee (CIECC), the Ministry of Health, the Lao Women's Union, UNICEF, and other partner organizations. According to Lao News Agency, the workshop highlighted the critical role of communication, community mobilization, and multi-sectoral collaboration in improving child health outcomes across the country. Participants reviewed national child health and disease prevention data, discussed strategies to counter misinformation, and explored ways community leaders and mass organizations can help boost public confidence in health services and vaccines. Mr. Kikeo Khaykhamphithoun emphasized that protecting children's health requires coordinated efforts at all levels of society. 'Through the network of the Lao Front for National Development and mass organizations, community leaders can mobilize families, address misinformation, and build trust in health services so that every child receives life-saving vaccines,' he said. Amphone Vichathep, Deputy Minister of Health, noted that vaccination remains the most effective way to protect children from life-threatening diseases. She added that the Ministry of Health continues to prioritize the expansion of vaccination services to ensure that all children in Laos, including those in remote areas, receive vital immunizations. The training reflects Laos' ongoing commitment to strengthening public health through community engagement, multi-sector collaboration, and effective vaccination programs.