BAGHDAD (IraqiNews.com) – To protect children from infectious diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella, Iraq's Ministry of Health on Sunday launched a large-scale nationwide immunization campaign in collaboration with UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO). The campaign has started.
The goal of the program, which ends on April 25, 2024, is to reach more than 7.5 million preschool and elementary school children ages 6 to 12.
Iraq's Minister of Health Saleh al-Hasnawi said the timing of the campaign was critical to halting the spread of measles, one of the most contagious diseases, according to a joint statement issued by UNICEF and WHO. Stated.
Mr. Al-Hasnawi said that by vaccinating Iraqi children, the Ministry of Health can safely and effectively stop the spread of the measles virus and, through joint efforts with UNICEF and WHO, save children's lives from this deadly disease. He pointed out that it can be saved.
More than 30,000 front-line staff oversee the program and raise awareness in the community.
The campaign highlights the life-saving potential of vaccination, 10 days ahead of World Immunization Week, which marks the 50th anniversary of the vital immunization programme.
Over the past 50 years, vaccines have saved up to 3 million lives each year, bringing the total number of lives saved to more than 130 million. Vaccination increased infant survival by 30%.
