UN helps vaccinate millions of Afghan children against measles and polio
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Afghan child receives measles vaccination: UNICEF
Nearly six million children in Afghanistan are now protected against measles, thanks to a recent vaccination campaign supported by the United Nations.
The youngsters, aged between nine months to 10 years old, also received anti-polio drops.
Afghanistan has committed to stamping out measles by 2015.
Charles Appel reports.
Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Health implemented the campaign earlier this month with help from partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO).
Approximately 27,000 health workers, volunteers and community mobilizers across 16 provinces took part in the two-week exercise, reaching children in places such as mosques, schools and parks.
This marked the first stage of the campaign, which continues in September with plans to include the remaining 18 provinces in the country.
WHO reports that funding is a concern and the agency is seeking money to cover the next phase.
Afghanistan held its first anti-measles campaign in 2001. WHO says based on routine immunization coverage and epidemiological surveillance, the country has to repeat these drives every 2-4 years.
Charles Appel, United Nations
Duration: 55″
