UNICEF: Providing Polio vaccines in Sierra Leone

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, 31 March 2009 Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world, and its people are exposed to a range of killer diseases. Children are the most vulnerable; many die at a young age from illnesses that could easily be prevented.

Sierra Leone has very high infant and child mortality, said UNICEF Sierra Leones Project Manager for Immunization, Dr. Nuhu Maksha. One of the key interventions for reducing these deaths is immunization, which has proved to be a very cost-effective and evidence-based intervention.

UNICEF helps out with many different kinds of health services in local clinics. One of the most important is the immunization programme. UNICEF works on vaccination programmes with the Geneva-based GAVI Alliance, which makes vaccines available to millions in the worlds poorest countries.

GAVI has already committed $24 million to immunization in Sierra Leone. The money is spent on vaccines like the five-in-one shot, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B and Hib. UNICEF makes sure the vaccines are administered to all the children who need them.

To read the full story, visit http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/sierraleone_49005.html

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• UNICEF
• Sierra
• Leone
• polio
• vaccines
• vaccination
• children
• child
• health
• education
• protection

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