Emergencies | News | This summer our successful polio campaign came to a close in northwest Syria

This summer our successful polio campaign came to a close in northwest Syria

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This summer our successful Polio Campaign came to a close in northwest Syria

7 September 2021 - This summer, WHO successfully concluded its Polio Vaccination Campaign in northwest Syria, vaccinating over 900,000 children across the war-torn region.

The campaign, led by Dr Loutfy of WHO and Dr Yasser of the Syrian Immunization Group (SIG), initially achieved its monumental target of vaccinating 815,242 children under 5 years of age against Polio. As every child deserves the right to proper health care, in order to reach some of the more far-flung areas of the conflict zone, the Polio Vaccination teams sometimes relied on hooves as a means of transportation. Thanks to many a brave donkey, the SIG managed to enter the more isolated communities and vaccinate an additional 87,466 children with the UNICEF-supplied vaccinations. Due to this commitment and dedication, the overall campaign arrived at a staggering 106% of the target vaccinations.

Polio as you might know, is a virus that still remains active in our world today and can strike paralysis for life onto its victims, whatever their age. Once fully vaccinated, you are protected from this dreadful disease, for life. WHO - Saving lives across the whole of Syria.

For more information, please contact:

Grattan Lynch, Communications Officer
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