Laos in Focus: how fathers around the world protect their children

During Shot@Life’s recent visit to Laos, something stood out at the health clinics we visited: While we often meet mothers during our visits, on this trip, there were just as many fathers taking part in ensuring their children were vaccinated. At the city hospital in Vientiane, fathers could be seen cradling their babies during immunizations, calming their fears, and holding them up as they were weighed. Everywhere we looked, dads were a fundamental part of a baby’s visit.

For the dads who were there, it was a natural choice that they would be with their children at the hospital. They told us the mothers were at home taking care of the other kids, or in several cases, they were still in the hospital themselves with newborns! No matter the situation, both parents were working to keep their babies safe and healthy.

These dads are a reminder that fathers around the world want to protect their children, especially in the early moments that matter so much. UNICEF explains that in the first 1,000 days of a baby’s life, their brain forms connections at a rate of up to 1,000 every second – a pace that will never be repeated. This means those first 1,000 days of a baby’s life are essential to her future.

This Father’s Day, we celebrate the love, protection, and support fathers around the world give their children. One vital way to protect children is by helping them get the vaccines they need to stay healthy. Do your part to support fathers around the world by helping make sure their children are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases. Donate today!