23 September 2023, Aden, Yemen – The Ministry of Public Health and Population in Aden, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO), is set to implement a measles-rubella, vitamin A and COVID-19 integrated vaccination campaign. This joint effort aims to combat the ongoing outbreaks and spread of measles and rubella in Yemen.

The 6-day integrated measles and rubella vaccination campaign kicked off on the morning of Saturday 23 September 2023 and will target 1 267 082 children aged 6 to 59 months across 121 districts in 13 governorates. The campaign will integrate COVID-19 vaccinations for the high-priority group in fixed and temporary fixed sites. A total of 3025 medical teams, consisting of 847 fixed teams and 2178 mobile teams, will be deployed for a minimum of 6 days.

Dr Arturo Pesigan, WHO Representative in Yemen, and Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative to Yemen, expressed their commitment to this joint effort. Dr Pesigan stated, “Our commitment to Yemen’s children is unwavering, and we stand united with the government to strengthen the immunization programme as a cornerstone of primary health care on our path to achieving universal health coverage.”

WHO Yemen and UNICEF Yemen are working closely with the Government of Yemen, partners and communities to guarantee the success of this integrated effort. By bringing together their efforts and resources, WHO and UNICEF strive to enhance vaccine coverage, protect vulnerable communities and prevent future outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative to Yemen, warned: “Measles can kill, but vaccinating children against measles will save their lives. The vaccine is safe and is effective”. Hawkins continued to call upon everyone to “join in and make sure that every child between 6 months and 5 years of age is vaccinated”.

The campaign is made possible with the generous support of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; the United States Agency for International Development; and the World Bank. Their assistance enables UNICEF Yemen, WHO Yemen and the Government of Yemen to strengthen routine immunization, reduce the number of zero-dose children, protect vulnerable populations and prevent future outbreaks of these diseases.] 

This campaign’s integration of measles and rubella vaccines and vitamin A supplementation with COVID-19 vaccinations shows a comprehensive approach to public health. By tackling numerous diseases at the same time, the campaign aims to optimize its impact and contribute to Yemen’s general health and well-being.

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit the UNICEF Yemen website.

About WHO

WHO works worldwide to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. Our goal is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and well-being. For more information, visit the WHO Yemen website.  

For more information, please contact:

Shatha Al-Eryani, WHO Yemen, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kamal Al-Wazizah, UNICEF Yemen, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it