Iraqi government launches initiative to vaccinate 7.5 million children
A child from Mosul receives routine vaccination by health workers on mobile teams supported by UNICEF. Photo: Zaid obaide/UNICEF Iraq
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – To shield kids from the infectious illnesses measles, mumps, and rubella, the Iraqi Ministry of Health launched on Sunday a large national vaccination campaign in partnership with UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The goal of this program, which finishes on April 25, 2024, is to reach over 7.5 million young children and primary school students between the ages of 6 and 12.
The Iraqi Minister of Health, Saleh Al-Hasnawi, said that the timing of this campaign is crucial for stopping the spread of measles, one of the most infectious illnesses, according to a joint statement released by UNICEF and WHO.
Al-Hasnawi indicated that by vaccinating children in Iraq, the Ministry of Health can safely and effectively stop the measles virus from spreading and save children’s lives from this fatal disease through joint efforts with UNICEF and WHO.
More than 30,000 frontline staff members will oversee the program and raise community awareness.
This campaign highlights the life-saving potential of vaccinations ten days before World Immunization Week, which commemorates 50 years of the crucial immunization program.
Vaccines have saved the lives of up to three million people annually over the last 50 years, bringing the total number of lives saved to over 130 million. Vaccinations increased infant survival by 30 percent.