Reaching every child: Bringing life-saving vaccines closer to families
UNICEF supports vaccination services and community engagement to help families in Syria protect their children from measles and other preventable diseases
Rural Dar’a, Syria- In late July, the Ministry of Health, with support from UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the World Health Organization, launched the first phase of a measles vaccination campaign in selected districts across Aleppo, Al-Hasakeh, Ar-Raqqa, Deir-ez-Zor, and Dar’a governorates.
Over ten days, the campaign targeted eight high-risk districts, aiming to protect more than 290,000 children aged 6 months to 5 years with the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine and Vitamin A supplementation. Vaccination services were delivered through more than 260 mobile and fixed vaccination teams to ensure children in vulnerable and remote communities had access to life-saving immunization services.
To support the campaign, UNICEF procured more than 500,000 doses of the Measles-Rubella vaccine and contributed to operational costs, while also helping families make informed decisions about vaccination. Through community outreach, awareness-raising activities and engagement with health workers and community leaders, families were encouraged to vaccinate their children and protect them from vaccine-preventable diseases.
In rural Dar’a, mobile vaccination teams travelled to villages including Namer, Sheikh Miskine, Da'el, and Qarfa, conducting door-to-door visits and engaging caregivers on the importance of immunization while vaccinating eligible children.
UNICEF/UN0914862/Johnny Shahan
UNICEF/UN0914861/Johnny Shahan
Mohamed-Nour, 7 months, receives a dose of Vitamin A supplementation at a health centre in Sheikh Miskine city.
“Spending a few minutes at the vaccination centre today can help protect my child for years to come. When I see my child protected, I feel more confident about his growth and health.”
- Sara, mother
The campaign supports the Ministry of Health's broader efforts to strengthen routine immunization coverage and reach zero-dose children, those who have never received a routine vaccine, with essential health services.
"We urge parents to visit the nearest vaccination centre or contact the nearest mobile team to vaccinate their children and help protect them from measles. Timely vaccination is essential to protecting your children's health,"
Together with partners, UNICEF is helping ensure that every child, wherever they live, has the opportunity to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases and given a healthy start in life.
This phase of the campaign was made possible thanks to the generous support of Gavi, the vaccine alliance; The Government of Australia; the Global Thematic Fund; and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
