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Dates for 2nd and 3rd phases of the Measles-Rubella campaign in Nepal announced

© UNICEF Nepal/2012/CSingh

A boy accompained by his mother while being vaccinated for Measles

28 August, 2012 Following the successful completion of the first phase of the 2012 Measles-Rubella (MR) immunization campaign when over 1.8 million children in 15 districts were immunized, dates have now been announced for the second and third phases of the MR immunization campaign. The announcement was made amidst a function in Kathmandu on 26th August attended by the Minister of Health and other dignitaries and chiefs from various government ministries and non-government organisations.

The month-long campaigns will start on 17th September for Phase 2 and 14th December for Phase 3. The second phase will reach 2.4 million children and 5.7 million children will be reached in the third phase.

© UNICEF Nepal/2012/CSingh

A merry little girl- after taking the Measles & Rubella vaccine

The MR campaign in Nepal is led by the Government together with WHO, UNICEF, Lions Club International, and Rotary International. UNICEF has promised to provide 173,000 vials of MR vaccines to the Government of Nepal to recover the shortfall for the campaign.

Speaking on the occasion Ms. Hanaa Singer, UNICEF Representative, stressed on the importance of reaching every child from the eastern plains to the far western hills of the country. “We cannot afford to leave behind any child between 9 months and under 15 years. Every child must be vaccinated," she said. "We must campaign with Equity in our minds, for it is the right of each and every child to be vaccinated and the responsibility of parents, guardian, politicians and all of us to ensure that each and every child gets vaccinated with MR vaccine in this campaign.”