The Ministry of Health announces the successful completion of the first round of the emergency polio vaccination campaign.
Ministry of Public Health Announces Successful Polio Vaccination Campaign
The Ministry of Public Health and Population has announced the successful completion of the first round of an emergency vaccination campaign against polio for children under five years old. This campaign took place from July 12 to July 14, in collaboration with both international and local partners.
Vaccination Coverage Exceeds Expectations
Dr. Ali Al-Walidi, the Undersecretary for Primary Health Care, reported to the Yemeni News Agency (Saba) that the campaign successfully vaccinated 1,358,360 children, achieving a remarkable coverage rate of 101% of the targeted population. He emphasized that this success reflects the outstanding efforts of health and educational teams working in the field.
Extensive Reach Across Multiple Provinces
The campaign reached 120 districts across 12 provinces, deploying a total of 6,924 vaccination teams. This included 6,079 mobile teams and 845 fixed teams, comprising 13,003 health workers and supervisors. These teams traveled through neighborhoods, areas, and villages to ensure that every household received the vaccine at no cost.
Coverage Rates by Province
Dr. Al-Walidi provided detailed coverage statistics for the targeted provinces:
- Lahij: 109% coverage, totaling 181,470 children
- Taiz: 105% coverage, totaling 352,358 children
- Marib: 108% coverage, totaling 112,710 children
- Al-Hudaydah: 109% coverage, totaling 45,226 children
- Dhale: 103% coverage, totaling 95,363 children
- Aden: 100% coverage, totaling 145,619 children
- Al-Mahrah: 73% coverage, totaling 16,557 children
- Socotra: 43% coverage, totaling 5,244 children
Recommendations for Further Action
Dr. Al-Walidi stated that the central operations room recommended extending the campaign for an additional day in districts that did not meet the required coverage rates. He highlighted the importance of intensifying health education efforts to reach those who missed the vaccination or refused it.
Community Engagement and Awareness Efforts
Health education volunteers played a crucial role in mobilizing community support and increasing vaccine acceptance. They conducted 42,953 awareness sessions, reaching over 1.1 million individuals and families. The campaign also utilized extensive media outreach through 24 radio stations and 13 television channels, along with educational videos shared on social media. Mobile units equipped with loudspeakers and local mosque speakers further reinforced health messages.
This successful campaign marks a significant step in the fight against polio in Yemen, showcasing the collaborative efforts of health authorities and community members.
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