Cairo, 14 February, 2005 – A new mass immunization campaign against the polio virus has begun in Egypt -- the first of at least six rounds aimed at eradicating a disease formerly considered a prime threat to the health of young children.
As in previous National Immunisation Days, the aim is to ensure all children under the age of five years receive the vaccine drops that will protect them against the virus. Doses of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) are dispensed at Health Centres and clinics, while vaccination teams go door-to-door in villages and towns across the country.
The campaign is being organised by the Ministry of Health and Population, supported by a range of national and international partners. For the current round, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) procured 14 million doses of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), using funds provided by the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Government of Japan.
Other partners include the World Health Organization (WHO), and Rotary International.
After observing the start of polio immunization efforts in the Cairo suburb of Maadi, UNICEF Egypt Representative Erma Manoncourt said she'd been impressed by the efforts she'd seen.
"What is striking is the micro-planning by the various government bodies and other agencies, which should ensure that all children requiring vaccination actually receive the drops", said Dr Manoncourt. "This demonstrates how Egypt treats the eradication of polio as a national priority."
Substantial progress against polio has been made since mass immunisation began in Egypt in the late 1980s. A single case was confirmed in 2004, leaving the country on the brink of declaring itself polio-free.
Egypt is one of a handful of countries (along with Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Niger and Nigeria) where polio is still considered endemic.
UNICEF's contribution to Egypt's polio eradication initiative has ranged from the supply of vaccines and cold chain equipment to support for logistics, management, training, advocacy and social mobilization.
Simon Ingram, UNICEF, Communication Officer / Cairo
singram@unicef.org
Tel: (202) 5265083-87 Ext 210 / 208
Fax: (202) 5264218