Measles and polio vaccination campaign resumes despite COVID-19 turmoil-Lebanon

Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with WHO and UNICEF, launches second phase of national measles and polio vaccination campaign

October 14, 2020 – The Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with WHO and UNICEF, today announced the start of the second phase of its measles and polio vaccination campaign. The campaign will be piloted in the Keselwan and Hasbaya districts until October 25, followed by the remaining provinces and districts (Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Bekar, Southern, Nabatieh) from November 2 to the end of the year.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, vaccination services have been interrupted, threatening to reverse the struggling progress of delivering essential vaccines to children. Decreased measles immunity has been at increased risk across Lebanon since 2018, and the COVID-19 pandemic further contributes to a significant reduction in vaccination rates, exacerbating and preventing existing disruptions to healthcare delivery. Makes children more vulnerable to diseases that can be prevented by vaccination.

After the first phase of the measles and polio campaign was completed in December 2019 in Baalbek-Hermel province, north of Akkar, the second phase of the measles and polio campaign will take place in five provinces: Beirut, Mount Lebanon, Bekar, South and Nabatieh. Will be done. Children from 6 months to 10 years old. Vaccination campaigns are conducted at primary health care centers, clinics and temporary vaccination sites.

Health Minister Dr. Hamad Hasan launched the campaign, “The second phase of the campaign will be conducted in accordance with COVID 19 precautions. All vaccinated teams will be trained and equipped with infection, prevention and control measures. Use personal equipment for protection. Temporary vaccination sites are selected in open spaces and the setup is carefully disinfected to ensure immunity to prevent contamination. With children. The caregiver is screened for COVID-19 at vaccination points and suspicious cases are referred directly. Medical screening. Optimal infection and prevention at all vaccination points to minimize COVID-19 infection. , And control measures will be implemented. “

“It is important not to lose the expanded range of vaccinations that Lebanon has achieved over the last decade. The WHO is measles so that children can escape this serious, avoidable and preventable disease. We support vaccination campaigns. Don’t leave your child behind. Disease prevention is a human right, “said Samar Hammoud, head of responsibility for Dr. Iman Shankiti, WHO representative of Lebanon.

“In today’s situation where COVID 19 is already endangering the entire population, it is paramount that we protect children at best and boost immunity to diseases we know, such as measles and polio. “We have experienced new challenges and setbacks in the fight against diseases that can be prevented by COVID-19 vaccines, but we have endeavored to maintain continuous immunization services,” said Mokuo Yukie, UNICEF representative of Lebanon. Together, we promised to reach all children and the vaccine campaign is back on track.

“1.5 million children die each year from vaccine-preventable illnesses, and the corona epidemic is declining,” said Dr. Randahamade, head of primary health care at the Ministry of Health. Caused. Children’s immunity has reached a 47% reduction in Lebanon. The challenge of returning vaccine indicators to pre-corona pandemic status (> 96%) is a myriad of challenges with vaccines. This can only be achieved through the joint efforts of vaccines. A program by PHC departments of the Ministry of Public Health, WHO, UNICEF, and partners in the private health sector. This is a time of solidarity and action. Hands to all children, regardless of nationality. Let’s work together to reach out. Their rights, and this is our responsibility! “

The National Immunization Campaign is funded by the generous support of the Kuwait Development Fund and targets a total of 364,130 children between the ages of 6 months and 10 years. Last December, it had already reached 231,200 in Baalbek-Hermel and Acker in the north. We are currently contacting BML in Bekar’s South Nabatieh. All children are also vaccinated against the divalent oral polio vaccine. Children reach at primary health care centers / clinics and temporary vaccination sites.