The poetry of prevention

To coincide with the Global Vaccine Impact Conference, Gavi has commissioned spoken word artists from across the globe to compose new unique works celebrating the power of immunisation. Here are the results.

Imagine being toldthat even before you were aware of ita miracle had happened.As if being born was not miracle enoughAs soon as your lungsweigh their first breathand your eyes havetheir first encounter with lighta battle has already begun.

One would have to imaginebecause bacteria small to the human eyewould have already set its sightson to your body.Even before you utter your first words.

It is said that we are luckyto be born of this generationwhere one could create a thing such as a vaccination.

After you are bornas soon as your immune system is stronga vaccine is injected into youprotecting you from killer diseases.Most of these vaccinesare registered when you are only a childIt is as if fighting a war unknown to you.

Before our timemany generations before mineyou and I were simply toys to these diseases.

Our scientists and health workers,through sacrificehave fought our future battlesby creating vaccines,protecting usso that we too may protectthe generations to come.

They have travelled great distancesand put in a lot of timeall devoted to the future healthof the human race.

PolioMeaslesWhopping coughCOVID-19plus many deadly alikewe have defeatedand we have protected our children.

We must imagine a better futurePreserve the legaciesof our scientists and health workersby continuing efforts towards preventative measuresand educating our communitieson the importance of vaccination.

If we imagine and aspire for a better societypreserve the efforts and research of our health workerswe will be better suited to be in the front lineto create vaccines for malaria, Ebola and HIVthat continue to kill millions.

Today, towards the end of my shift at the hospitalI made the last wish for a COVID-19 patient come trueIt was the last video call to her relativesTo say goodbyebecause she was not going to make it.

This patient's son asked for a few minutes of my timeas he then sang a song for his dying mother.You see, son, there are some thingseven death cannot touchlike the life in her eyeswhen she heard her son sing hera proper goodbye.

My mind meltedas mom went on to tell mehow her day at work had been.

A son singing a proper goodbye for his mothersounded a lot like me in the near future.My mother is a doctor.I had watched the news earlier that day.There was concern about health workers being at riskof contracting the virus.I watched as some fell victimand I wondered when the right time would befor me to mourn my mother.

So each day that mom left for workI mourned her till she returned.You see, as the whole world chantedpraise to health workers as heroesit was a constant reminder to me that heroes are soldiersthat never made it back from war.

So every night whne I went to sleep,I dreamt of moma's deathAnd the more I feared for her death, the closer it felt.

But suddenly, as I watched the news one other dayThere was a leap of hope heading the headlines.Finally, a vaccine for COVID-19had been invented.And health workers and children were prioritized to get it firstThis meant I didn't have to grieve my breathing mother anymore.This vaccine was my new hope in the "new normal"

Time has passed, and it seems like it's all over nowEven though the bad times left scars behindthey left lessons too.But the biggest lesson that COVID-19-times taught meis to take every moment with my motherthat life gives to me.

Because I can never be so sure when the next one will beOr if there will ever be a next one at allThis poem, is for every soul that we lostAnd every soul that lost another.

We were ambushedThey aimed their guns at usOur arms were lifted in fear there was no time to shakeOur lives were the target an eyesore is what I sawOur mouths were covered so no one could hear us screamBut out of nowhere there was a shot!And everything returned to normalIn a very twisted irony, I found out that not all shots take livesSome shots give lifeSo once again from the topWe were ambushed by a pandemicThey aimed their guns at usOur arms lifted in fear there was no time to shake…. handsOur mouths were covered so no one could hear us screamBut out of nowhere there was a shot; a vaccineAnd everything returned to normalIn a very twisted irony, I found out that not all shots take livesSome shots give lifeBut if only we understood, that we all had immunity because some people got vaccinated and stopped the spreadBut the truth is we all are not immuneMuch like a bullet proof vestWe are all alive because those who wore the vest, took the shotBut what happens when those without vests, become the target?

Everyone cherishes their health,(And) everyone loves their daughter.Giggling children, ticklish children,For them to stay happy and cheerful,We need to care for them.The blessing of vaccines,Are all meant for them.These efforts, and hard work,All meant to cure them.Friends! Just think about it.Isn't it our duty?The smiles of our childrenShould remain forever.The blessing of God (baby boy)The Mercy of God (baby girls),We are bound to safeguard them.Diseases like measles, convulsions, coughs,And the polio virus,We have to eradicate them.The treatment is easy,Just a few vaccinesand polio drops,They are a guarantee of health.Think about it,If your young childFaced disability,Would your weak bones be able to handle it?Would you be able to save them?BecauseAs polio takes way smiles,And polio takes away support in old age.So let's come together, and pledge,This vaccine,Which guarantees health,Will be given to children on time,So that there is happiness,There is kindness,And the kingdom of colour and fragrance reigns.

A beacon of hope in troubled timesA shield of protection against diseasesthat lurk in the shadowsA testament to the power of scienceand human ingenuityStanding as a formidable defensePreventing the spread of illness, saving livesand safeguarding our communitiesWe choose for ourselves,The vulnerable, the young, and the elderlyWe bear a responsibility toward our fellow beingsA commitment to the greater goodWith its unwavering efficacy,The vaccine offers a glimmer of lightamidst the darkness,A pathway toward a safer, healthier future.Let us embrace this powerful tool,With gratitude and resolve,Through vaccinationWe can overcome adversityPaving the way to brighter days ahead