Iraq, made great strides have been made to expand immunization for preventable diseases. Achievements include strengthening surveillance system, where hundreds of Iraqi health workers received training on detection, reporting investigation and conducting necessary vaccination. The Iraqi media also conducted awareness campaigns to support these efforts with the government full participation. In the last few years, Iraq has shown a tremendous change towards measles outbreak and how cases declined from 30328 in 2009 to 462 in 2010.
During this week, the Ministry of Health with the full support of WHO and UNICEF will expand its vaccination services, where more than 1600 vaccinators are providing routine immunization services through Primary Health Centers, through programmes targeting unreached and unvaccinated children in low coverage areas in addition to outreach programmes and mobile activities all over the country. In addition, 2000 volunteers will visit houses in the 19 governorates to educate families and mothers about the new and improved vaccines and the importance of immunization. Series of events will take place in schools, academic institutions, and civil societies.
Dr. Hussain affirmed the organization’s support to reinforce its commitment towards achieving the Millennium Development Goal 4, which aims to reduce child death by two-thirds by 2015. This year’s theme demonstrates the Region’s vision and strategy in addressing the value of immunization, promote and maintain immunization as a priority for policy-and decision-makers, advocate for and mobilize human and financial resources, and finally improve access to immunization for high-risk populations and outreached areas in the Regions.
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