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UNICEF, WHO vaccinate over 355,000 children against polio in Syria
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The first round of a polio vaccination campaign initiated by UNICEF and WHO has successfully vaccinated more than 355,000 children aged younger than 5 years in Syria, according to a release issued by UNICEF.
A recent outbreak of vaccine-derived polio prompted the organizations and partners to begin this campaign. The targeted areas, including the Governorates of Deir Ez Zor and Raqqa, have experienced violence and damage to their health infrastructure since 2011, which has made access to these areas increasingly difficult.
“UNICEF applauds local partners and health workers for their extraordinary efforts and commitment to vaccinate children against this crippling illness,” Fran Equiza, MBA, PhD, UNICEF representative in Syria, said in the release. “No child should have to live with the devastating effects of polio.”
According the release, prior immunization rates of over 80% had eradicated the disease in Syria.
To combat the current outbreak, UNICEF provided vaccines and cold chain equipment. WHO had then trained over 1,000 field volunteers, transported vaccines to the targeted area and funded the campaign.
“As of August 18, 2017, 33 children under the age of 5 have been paralyzed,” Elizabeth Hoff, WHO representative in Syria, said in the release. “The detection of the circulating vaccine derived polio virus type 2 — cVDPV2 — cases demonstrates that disease surveillance systems are functional in Syria. Our priority now is to achieve the highest possible polio immunization coverage to stop the circulation of virus.”
UNICEF and WHO have urged all parties involved with the conflict to allow vaccinators full access to the area and to children in need of vaccination. – by Katherine Bortz