Making a Difference for Children: Immunisation +

Better health leads to greater wealth

Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Polio and Measles are all vaccine-preventable diseases which can easily kill or disable children. Although Turkey was declared polio-free in 2002, 30 per cent of Turkish children are not fully vaccinated. There is no question that vaccination programmes need to be intensified across the entire country.

Measles is one of the most contagious and probably the most deadly of all childhood illnesses -- according to WHO, over two thirds of the 745,000 deaths caused by the disease every year are under-five-year-olds. During 2004, vaccination coverage rates for Measles will be increased from 84 per cent to 95 per cent in a drive to eliminate the disease in Turkey.

The Situation

• In order to eliminate Measles -- the cause of more deaths than any other vaccine-preventable disease -- Turkey needs to achieve a vaccination coverage rate of 95 per cent for all children under the age of fourteen years.
• Routine immunisation coverage for Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Tuberculosis and Hepatitis B also needs to be strengthened to reach at least 90 per cent.
• Polio-free status needs to be sustained.
• Awareness will be raised amongst all sectors providing services to children, families and communities.
• The public needs to be informed of the vital necessity for immunisation in all children.
• Frontline health personnel need to be adequately equipped and trained and the capacity of the health sector needs to be built-up.

The Action

• A primary focus will be placed on Measles as the biggest threat to child health.
• Immunisation against Measles will be provided for every child under fourteen years of age -- whether or not he or she is attending school.
• 90 per cent of babies in their first year will be immunised against Polio, Measles, Tuberculosis, DPT and Hepatitis B.
• The capacity of the health sector will be built-up and reinforced through the training of health personnel.
• The role of the media will be emphasised in order to ensure accurate reports and coverage of the programme.
• Health personnel will be adequately trained and equipped to implement the vaccination strategy.
• Other primary health care interventions will be promoted.
• Other resources such as transport, training facilities and materials will be mobilised.

The Difference

• More children will survive.
• Healthier children will do better at school and become more productive members of the community.
• Turkey will achieve Measles-free status.
• Polio-free status will be sustained.
• Families will have the opportunity to check or confirm the overall immunisation status of their children.
• Awareness of the necessity for immunisation will be raised within families and communities thereby building demand for vaccines.
• The existing health structure and the quality of primary health care services will be improved overall.
• Partners in the immunisation drive will have the opportunity to build a relationship with the community.
• Results will be used to mobilise broader long-term support for immunisation.

Use the ‘Support Us’ link at the foot of this page to make an online tax-free donation to the Turkish National Committee for UNICEF now. Alternatively, you can make a credit transfer through your bank to Türkiye İş Bankası, Çankaya Branch, Ankara, Branch No. 4238, Account No. 500.

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