Yemen launches national immunization campaign to ward off polio
The Source: YEMEN TIMES Online \ Saleh Ahmed - Thursday 23 / Feb. / 2017
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A nationwide polio immunization campaign was launched Monday by the
national health authorities with support from WHO and UNICEF, aiming to
immunize five million children under the age of five. High-risk groups,
such as internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees are also
targeted.
More than 40,000 health works are participating in the 4-day campaign. Religious and local figures as well as health educators are also taking part in supporting the campaign.
“WHO is working closely with UNICEF and health authorities to keep Yemen polio-free. The threat of virus importation is serious, and this campaign aims to curb any possible return of the virus to Yemen,” said Dr Nevio Zagaria, WHO Acting Representative in Yemen.
"Despite huge security challenges, WHO is committed to supporting polio immunization campaigns and all activities of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) to maintain the polio-free status achieved by the country in 2006," added Dr Zagaria.
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