A mass campaign to vaccinate more than 3 million children against polio began in Venezuela

CARACAS / CITY OF PANAMA, July 14, 2019 – In Venezuela, a mbad immunization campaign against polio was launched today in Venezuela, under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, with the support of UNICEF and the Pan American Organization. of Health (OPS).

"It is essential that every child in Venezuela be vaccinated against polio, as there is no cure for this devastating disease," said UNICEF Venezuela's acting representative, Hervé de Lys. "The vaccination campaign that begins today will help preserve Venezuela's polio tomorrow."

More than 7,000 vaccination points will be set up across the country to vaccinate all children under five. Prior to the campaign, UNICEF had purchased and delivered more than 3.8 million doses of oral polio vaccine (OPV) and 124,479 doses of inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine (IPV). The Children's Agency has also contributed to the production of radio and television ads to broadcast messages that save lives in immunization.

"Protecting children from this preventable disease is a moral imperative," said María Cristina Perceval, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. "The well-being of Venezuela's children is above politics. UNICEF calls on all parties, parents, caretakers and teachers to ensure that all children are vaccinated. "

In 1994, the Americas were certified as areas where there is no case of acute flaccid paralysis caused by polio, but wild poliovirus remains a potential threat if vaccination is neglected or interrupted.

In addition to the polio vaccines purchased for the campaign, UNICEF provided nearly 6.7 million doses of diphtheria vaccine and 176 000 doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, in collaboration with UNICEF. with partners across Venezuela since 2019.

According to UN estimates, about 3.2 million children need badistance in the interior of the country. UNICEF needs $ 32 million to provide children with access to health and immunization services, water, education, nutrition and protection. So far, only 17.8 million US dollars have been received. Funding needs are expected to increase significantly over the coming weeks and months as UNICEF intensifies its response to humanitarian needs in collaboration with government and civil society partners.

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For more information on UNICEF and its work for children, visit http://www.unicef.org/lac.