The Minister of Health of Iraq Dr Alaa Alwan launched a 5-day polio vaccination campaign in Baghdad on 7 April 2019.

Image/ErikaWittlieb via pixabay

“This is an important event for the health sector in Iraq. Poliomyelitis is one of the diseases that we have eliminated. With continuous vaccination campaigns, we will be able to eradicate polio through relentless efforts by health workers and the motivation of Iraqi families to vaccinate their children regardless of previous vaccination history.”

“No cases of polio have been reported in Iraq since 2014 and with the continuation of vaccination campaigns and the awareness of the population we will ensure that this disease will not return. We hope and seek to achieve a high rate of polio vaccine coverage, as well as other vaccines to ensure the highest possible level of health for all the people of Iraq,” added Dr Alwan.

The target population for this round of the campaign is 5 875 186 children under the age of 5 in 145 districts over 18 governorates. WHO is supporting the Iraqi Ministry of Health in providing technical and operational costs for the campaign, including incentives for health workers, training of vaccinators, stationary for the vaccination teams, in addition to transportation fees and independent monitoring.

 

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