Massive Measles Vaccination Campaign Wraps Up
in Pakistan Protecting more than 34 million children against
a deadly disease
WASHINGTON D.C., MARCH 17,
2008 —The final phase of a national vaccination
campaign to protect the children of Pakistan against
measles is being launched today by the government
of Pakistan with support from the Measles Initiative.
The campaign, which will take place between March
17 and April 3, aims to reach more than 34 million
children in the province of Punjab, including
the capital city, Islamabad.
This phase marks the conclusion of a year-long,
multi-part campaign that will provide measles
vaccines to more than 65 million children, between
9 months and 13 years, throughout the country
– marking a significant step toward the
global goal of reducing measles deaths by 90 percent
by 2010 (compared to 2000). Prior to the health
campaign, there were more than 1 million cases
and 20,000 deaths from measles and its complications
each year in Pakistan.
“Pakistan is one of the most important countries
in the fight against measles. With its large population,
challenging terrain and low immunization coverage,
many Pakistani children are at risk of this disease,”
said Andrea Gay, executive director of children’s
health at the United Nations Foundation. “Now,
as a result of the high-quality campaign being
conducted by the government with its partners,
millions more children will be protected against
this deadly disease.”
The vaccination campaign, which began in March
2007, has already reached more than 31 million
children, more than 97 percent of the targeted
population to date. In addition to measles vaccinations,
children in remote areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan
border were vaccinated against polio.
The health campaign is being led by the government
of Pakistan, with financial and technical support
from the Measles Initiative—a partnership
led by the American Red Cross, U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, the United
Nations Foundation and World Health Organization,
with significant support from the GAVI Alliance
and other groups.
“It takes a great, collaborative effort
among many partners to plan, design and implement
a campaign of this scale,” said David Meltzer,
senior vice president for International Services
of the American Red Cross. “Thankfully,
we have seen tremendous support and commitment
at all levels, including political and religious
leaders, community organizers, teachers, and health
workers, to ensure the success of this campaign.”
Over the next two weeks, more than 45,000 thousand
health workers and volunteers will set up health
posts at schools and other facilities. Field staff
from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative are
playing a major role in the planning and implementation
of the campaign and disease surveillance. Health
workers and volunteers from the Pakistan Red Crescent
Society are also helping to mobilize communities
to make sure there is a high turnout among vulnerable
populations.
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The Measles Initiative is
a partnership committed to reducing measles deaths
globally. Launched in 2001, the Initiative—led
by the American Red Cross, the United Nations
Foundation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, UNICEF and the World Health Organization—provides
technical and financial support to governments
and communities on vaccination campaigns worldwide.
To date, the Initiative has supported the vaccination
of more than 400 million children in 50 countries
helping reduce measles deaths by more than 68%
globally and 91% in Africa (compared to 2000).
To learn more or make a donation, visit www.measlesinitiative.org.
Other key partners in the
fight against measles include the GAVI Alliance,
the International Federation of Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies, the Canadian International
Development Agency, the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation, Becton, Dickinson and Company, the
Izumi Foundation, the Vodafone Group Foundation,
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
and countries and governments affected by measles.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Michael Oko, American Red
Cross, Washington, DC, +1 202 303 6820
Steven Stewart, CDC, Atlanta,
+1 404 639 8327
Jessica Malter, UNICEF,
New York, +1 212 326 7412
Amy DiElsi, UN Foundation, Washington, DC, +1
202 419 3230
