2023-04-27 09:21:00
Thu April 27, 2023 13:21 PM
AMMAN, 27th April, 2023 (WAM) — According to the latest data released by UNICEF, more than 4.3 million children in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have no received a single dose of measles vaccine between 2019 and 2021.
In addition, nearly 3.8 million children were under-immunized against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) during the same period. Shockingly, more than 2.27 million of these children did not even receive a single dose.
“It is sad and concerning that the region, which had one of the highest vaccination coverage rates in the world, is experiencing a decline in vaccination rates, leading to an increase in the number of children who have not received any doses. and under-immunized children and jeopardizes years of progress; it puts children in our region at high risk of vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Adele Khodr, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
Collective efforts are needed to catch up the backlog in vaccinating unvaccinated children during the pandemic and to ensure that all children receive vaccines at the right time and at the right age, regardless of their nationality, place of birth or of their legal status.
UNICEF calls on governments, health and medical professional associations, the civil society sector and communities in the MENA region to urgently prioritize immunization efforts, including through a public financing and building resilient primary health care systems to meet public health needs.
“Investing in immunization is a proven, cost-effective way to protect children and communities from disease. UNICEF remains committed to working with governments and partners in the MENA region to expand access to vaccines, strengthen systems and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential,” said Ms. Khodr.
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Katia El Hayek
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