UNICEF-supported national immunization campaign protects children in Aleppo against polio
In partnership with WHO, reaching over 400,000 children despite COVID-19 restrictions, thanks to generous contributions from (FCDO), GAVI and (GPEI)
To protect children under the age of five against polio, and despite COVID-19 restrictions, UNICEF, WHO and partners launched a five-day national immunization campaign, aiming to reach over 2.3 million children across Syria with lifesaving vaccines.
In the governorate of Aleppo alone, around 800 health workers took part in the campaign, vaccinating children in over 60 fixed health centres and through 100 mobile health teams to ensure children in rural and heard-to-reach areas also receive the vaccines, with an overall planned reach of over 400,000. For the first time, following respite in violence, children in newly accessible areas in western rural Aleppo also had access to this essential health service.
“I’ve learned the importance of keeping my daughter up-to-date with her vaccine schedule and I will make sure to never miss one,”
“Living in a crowded camp, I fear for my son’s health and always make sure to keep him up-to-date with all his vaccines,”
Thanks to generous contributions from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), GAVI, the vaccine alliance, and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), UNICEF provided vaccines and accompanying Vitamin A supplements, as well as necessary cold chain equipment to ensure the safety of the vaccines. Prior to the immunization campaign, UNICEF also supported community outreach volunteers going door-to-door to talk to families about the safety and importance of the vaccines.
