Baghdad | Erbil, 26 May 2015 – A mass polio vaccination campaign, aiming to target 5.7 million children under the age of 5, began in Iraq on 24 May. The campaign will be conducted in all governorates to maintain the country's polio-free status. The last case of polio was reported on 7 April 2014; a 34-month-old girl from the Rasafa district of Baghdad.
Iraq's response to combating polio aligns with a multi-country response plan developed following the outbreak of polio in Syria in 2013. 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.
WHO Country Representative to Iraq Dr Syed Jaffar Hussain said, “Despite the civil unrest that engulfs over a third of the country, polio campaigns have continued to reach up to 90% of children through collaborative efforts with multiple line-ministries and local partners.” He paid tribute to polio vaccination team members and parents and appealed to the international community and partners for their continued financial and technical support over the next 12 months for an additional 4 nationwide vaccination campaigns. “Community efforts were well acknowledged by the Independent Monitoring Board for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative during their recent meeting. However, significant risks continue to exist and thus there is no room for complacency,” Dr Hussain added.
UNICEF Country Representative to Iraq Phillippe Heffinck added, “The polio effort in Iraq has been successful despite tremendous challenges. The collaboration and leadership of the Ministries of Health and strong collaboration with partners, such as WHO, 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.”
In May 2015, a report of WHO’s 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". This major public health achievement reflects the effort and commitment of the Ministry of Health, partners and the hard work of thousands of health workers throughout the country, despite a complex and volatile security situation. 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 or polio vaccination campaign coverage could again leave Iraqi children vulnerable to preventable diseases.
The Emergency Committee recommended that Iraq should enhance surveillance quality to reduce the risk of undetected wild poliovirus transmission, particularly among high-risk mobile and vulnerable populations; intensify efforts to ensure vaccination of mobile and cross-border populations, internally displaced persons, refugees and other vulnerable groups; and enhance regional cooperation and cross-border coordination to ensure prompt detection of wild poliovirus and vaccination of population groups at high risk.
The coordinated emergency polio outbreak response has been boosted by generous contributions from the governments of Germany, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom and the United States of America, with support from Rotary International.
Impressive gains have been made in the global programme but the risk of reinfection in Iraq remains. In 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. Polio does not respect borders, so until the world is polio free, polio anywhere is a threat to children everywhere.
The Government of Iraq has reported a funding gap of US$ 45 million for 2015 and 2016, needed to maintain the country's polio-free status.
Related links
Keeping Iraq polio free: immunization campaign targets 5.8 million children, 13 April 2015
Polio Eradication Initiative
UNICEF
Rotary International
Media contacts
Ms Ajyal Sultany
Communications Officer
WHO Iraq Office
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+964 7510 101 469
Ms Pauline Ajello
Communications and Donor Relations
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+964 7809 288 618
Mr Jeffrey Bates
Chief of Communications and Strategic Partnerships
UNICEF Iraq
+964 7801964524
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Baghdad | Erbil, 26 May 2015 – A mass polio vaccination campaign, aiming to target 5.7 million children under the age of 5, began in Iraq on 24 May. The campaign will be conducted in all governorates to maintain the country's polio-free status. The last case of polio was reported on 7 April 2014; a 34-month-old girl from the Rasafa district of Baghdad.
Iraq's response to combating polio aligns with a multi-country response plan developed following the outbreak of polio in Syria in 2013. 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.
WHO Country Representative to Iraq Dr Syed Jaffar Hussain said, “Despite the civil unrest that engulfs over a third of the country, polio campaigns have continued to reach up to 90% of children through collaborative efforts with multiple line-ministries and local partners.” He paid tribute to polio vaccination team members and parents and appealed to the international community and partners for their continued financial and technical support over the next 12 months for an additional 4 nationwide vaccination campaigns. “Community efforts were well acknowledged by the Independent Monitoring Board for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative during their recent meeting. However, significant risks continue to exist and thus there is no room for complacency,” Dr Hussain added.
UNICEF Country Representative to Iraq Phillippe Heffinck added, “The polio effort in Iraq has been successful despite tremendous challenges. The collaboration and leadership of the Ministries of Health and strong collaboration with partners, such as WHO, 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.”
In May 2015, a report of WHO’s 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". This major public health achievement reflects the effort and commitment of the Ministry of Health, partners and the hard work of thousands of health workers throughout the country, despite a complex and volatile security situation. 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 or polio vaccination campaign coverage could again leave Iraqi children vulnerable to preventable diseases.
The Emergency Committee recommended that Iraq should enhance surveillance quality to reduce the risk of undetected wild poliovirus transmission, particularly among high-risk mobile and vulnerable populations; intensify efforts to ensure vaccination of mobile and cross-border populations, internally displaced persons, refugees and other vulnerable groups; and enhance regional cooperation and cross-border coordination to ensure prompt detection of wild poliovirus and vaccination of population groups at high risk.
The coordinated emergency polio outbreak response has been boosted by generous contributions from the governments of Germany, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom and the United States of America, with support from Rotary International.
Impressive gains have been made in the global programme but the risk of reinfection in Iraq remains. In 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. Polio does not respect borders, so until the world is polio free, polio anywhere is a threat to children everywhere.
The Government of Iraq has reported a funding gap of US$ 45 million for 2015 and 2016, needed to maintain the country's polio-free status.
Related links
Keeping Iraq polio free: immunization campaign targets 5.8 million children, 13 April 2015
Polio Eradication Initiative
UNICEF
Rotary International
Media contacts
Ms Ajyal Sultany
Communications Officer
WHO Iraq Office
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+964 7510 101 469
Ms Pauline Ajello
Communications and Donor Relations
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+964 7809 288 618
Mr Jeffrey Bates
Chief of Communications and Strategic Partnerships
UNICEF Iraq
+964 7801964524
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
