(ANSA) - ROME, APRIL 07 - World-famous African artists such as Angelique Kidjo, Calema, Cobhams Asuqo, Magic System and Safiath join UNICEF, on the occasion of the World Health Day, to promote "trust in vaccines against Covid-19" .
A month after the start of the historic launch of vaccines against covid-19 in several countries in West and Central Africa and in other parts of the world and record levels of disinformation on vaccines - Unicef explains in a note, it is "more important than ever to amplify the message that vaccines are safe and effective. Vaccines save lives. "
"We have a crucial opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of vaccination efforts against COVID-19, to combat disinformation and address vaccine hesitations," said UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Marie-PierrePoirier. Rumors and misinformation literally cost human lives by discouraging people from undergoing vaccination, the best tool available to avoid contracting and spreading deadly vaccine-preventable diseases, including Covid-19. I applaud the commitment of national governments, and these artists of talented and influential members of the community, who ask everyone to support the vaccination efforts against Covid-19 ".
"I'm here to tell you that vaccines save lives. As a child, I was vaccinated and will vaccinate against covid-19 when the vaccine is available for me," said Angelique Kidjo, Benin-born singer and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, in a video that will be posted and promoted on social media today.
In May of last year, Angelique Kidjo re-recorded Miriam Makeba's 1967 hit 'Pata Pata', to spread information about Covid-19, and reached hundreds of millions of people, even in remote communities around the world.
Kidjo's version has been heard on more than 100 radio stations across Africa, as well as in the United States and Europe.
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