UNICEF: Synchronizing polio vaccinations in Africa

MARADI, Niger, 5 June 2009 Aboubacar Sidikou used to be an active two-year-old, running after goats in the courtyard or playing hide-and-seek all day long with his brothers. Now, the once enthusiastic boy has now become very shy. He rests in the arms of his grandmother and suddenly does not pay attention to anyone anymore.

Aboubacar is one of the 13 Nigerien children who have contracted polio this year.

"As of April 2009, Niger accounts for as many polio cases as in the whole of 2008," said UNICEF Niger Immunization specialist Dr. Abdou Moudjoubi Chitou. "The idea is to immunize all children under the age of five at the same time, and therefore reduce potential risks linked with trans-border movements of these children, given that the region presents high migration movements."

The Nigerian Government, UNICEF, the World Health Organisation and their partners responded to this influx of cases with a third round of polio immunization that took place between 29 May and 1 June and targeted over 4.2 million children in the country with oral polio vaccine doses and Vitamin A tablets.

To read the full story, visit http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/niger_49926.html

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• UNICEF
• Niger
• polio
• children
• protection
• health
• immunization

[MrsKrissyRae]

Leave Africa alone! She's been through enough. Let her heal.

[MrsKrissyRae]

This seems suspicious to me. These UNICEF people act like they really care for the people of Africa. If they really care, they would feed, clothe, and house them. These Africans are starving and need homes and clothing, but the only way they can help them is by vaccinating them. Sounds like a bunch of garbage to me.

[TheNaturalSelf]

This is my 2nd comment...people need to be very suspicious of vaccinations. It'si awfully strange that these African children, and people start to get strange diseases only AFTER these so-called UNICEF workers give them so-called vaccinations. The African people should reject any and all vaccinations until they know EXACTLY what is in them. It's very, very strange that this infllux of polio has happened. Sounds very familiar...just like the AIDES outbreak. UNICEF cannot ever be trusted.

[zouk35]

This is very sad. I feel sorry.