Afghanistan has vaccinated 5.36 million youngsters aged 9 to 59 months in opposition to measles, whereas 6.1 million infants to 59 months acquired the oral polio vaccine through the vaccination marketing campaign from November 26 to April 12. December.
In accordance with information from the Expanded Program on Immunization of the Ministry of Public Well being of Afghanistan, the marketing campaign lined 329 districts within the nation’s 34 provinces, with 4,341 vaccination groups consisting of 4 members in every group.
“It makes my coronary heart blissful that we’ve been in a position to defend Afghan youngsters from measles and polio as we enter the cruel winter season within the nation,” mentioned Luo Dapeng, World Well being Group (WHO) consultant in Afghanistan.
“I thank all of the healthcare staff, companions and donors who made this doable.”
measles outbreaks
Measles is a harmful illness, with problems that may embrace extreme diarrhea and dehydration; pneumonia, eye and ear problems; encephalitis or swelling of the mind; and demise
This yr, many outbreaks have been reported in Afghanistan, primarily amongst youngsters below the age of 5.
There is no such thing as a particular remedy for measles, and the one dependable safety in opposition to measles is vaccination.
“Whereas measles is extremely contagious, it’s also a preventable illness,” Dr. Dapeng recalled. “We should not lose the a long time of progress we’ve made in immunizing and defending Afghan youngsters.”
Half a century of safety
As of November, 5,484 circumstances have been confirmed, with roughly 300 deaths attributed to measles an infection.
Previous to the nationwide marketing campaign, a collection of subnational measles immunization campaigns had been carried out in 141 districts protecting roughly three million youngsters.
“The measles vaccine is secure and has been used for greater than 50 years,” the senior WHO official attested.
“The advantages of vaccination are clear, as proof reveals that measles vaccination has saved greater than 23 million lives worldwide over the previous 20 years.”
In regards to the marketing campaign
WHO and the United Nations Youngsters’s Fund (UNICEF) supported the measles marketing campaign in Afghanistan with the procurement and distribution of vaccines and the event of immunization tips and communication supplies.
UN businesses additionally helped construct the capability of well being staff to handle and implement the marketing campaign and make sure that all eligible youngsters are protected by way of secure and efficient measles and polio vaccines.
Monetary help was supplied by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.