Yemen launches emergency measles and rubella vaccination campaign
The six-day drive aims to reach about 957,196 children aged six months to five years in 100 districts.
Yemen launched an emergency national measles and rubella vaccination campaign in Aden on Saturday, the news agency of Yemen's internationally recognised government Saba (Government) reported.
The six-day campaign aims to vaccinate roughly 957,196 children aged six months to five years across 100 districts in 11 governorates.
A total of 2,290 vaccination teams will take part, including 5,221 health workers and 592 field supervisors, working through fixed and mobile teams.
Health Minister Qasim Buhaibeh said the campaign aims to strengthen community immunity, prevent the spread of measles and rubella, and protect children from potentially life-threatening complications.
Buhaibeh urged parents to make sure their children receive the vaccines.
The ministry said it has completed preparations, including training health workers, providing supplies and carrying out community awareness activities.
Representatives of the World Health Organization and UNICEF said they backed Yemen's vaccination efforts, stressing the need for high immunization coverage, steady vaccine supplies, strong cold-chain systems and public awareness to prevent outbreaks.
The campaign is being carried out in cooperation with the World Health Organization, UNICEF and Gavi, the global vaccine alliance.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause serious complications, particularly in young children, which is why health authorities often run catch-up vaccination drives.
