UNICEF, WHO Back Polio Immunization Campaign in Sudan

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Sudanese Ministry of Health, with the backing of UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners, led the three-day polio vaccination campaign.

Regular polio immunization campaigns have taken place throughout Sudan, UNICEF said. However, with increased population displacement, porous borders with neighboring countries and continued insecurity being a threat to vaccination efforts, there are major logistical challenges to the campaign, the agency added.

The immunization drive will cover all 15 states in the northern Sudan, with planners hoping to reach at least 82 percent of children under the age of 5 during the three-day effort, the agency said.

According to the agency, the last three-day vaccination campaign took place at the end of April, when more than 6 million children were reached.