UN launches mass polio vaccination campaign set to target Iraqi children

The last case of polio was reported on 7 April 2014 in a 34-month-old girl from the Rasafa district of Baghdad, according to a joint statement released from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which are jointly spearheading the initiative.

“Despite the civil unrest that engulfs over a third of the country, polio campaigns have continued to reach up to 90 per cent of children through collaborative efforts with multiple line-ministries and local partners,” WHO’s Country Representative to Iraq Dr. Syed Jaffar Hussain said.

Multiple vaccination rounds held in country since then have helped to protect Iraqi children from the paralysis caused by this incurable disease.

Despite ongoing conflict, mass population displacement and a complex and unpredictable security situation, only 2 cases of polio were confirmed in Iraq during the regional outbreak in early 2014.

“Significant risks continue to exist and thus there is no room for complacency,” Dr. Hussain added, appealing to the international community and partners for their continued financial and technical support over the next 12 months for 4 additional nationwide vaccination campaigns.

The Government of Iraq has reported a funding gap of $45 million for 2015 and 2016 to keep polio free.

UNICEF’s Country Representative to Iraq, Phillippe Heffinck, commended the leadership of the Ministries of Health and strong collaboration with partners, such as WHO, that have established community ownership for polio campaigns, and created a strong platform for rolling out strong routine immunization services.

“Both of these achievements are not only remarkable, but essential to keep Iraq polio free and improve the health of all Iraqi children,” Heffinck said.

In May 2015, a report of the WHO Emergency Committee, convened under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), identified Iraq as one of 5 countries removed from the list of ‘states infected with wild poliovirus but not currently exporting.’

The report, however, highlighted that Iraq was still ‘vulnerable to international spread’ and must remain vigilant to ensure all children receive the polio vaccine each time it was offered. Any lapse in routine immunization coverage could again leave Iraqi children vulnerable to preventable diseases.

The Committee recommended that Iraq enhance surveillance quality to reduce the risk of undetected transmission; intensify efforts to ensure vaccination of internally displaced persons and refugees; and enhance regional cooperation to ensure prompt detection of wild poliovirus.

As of 2015, polio is only endemic in 2 countries of the region – Afghanistan and Pakistan – but this virus can easily make its way into any population in which children are not adequately vaccinated through routine immunization or outreach campaigns.

Photo: UNICEF/ Wathiq Khuzaie