E-Paper
36,000 Tamil IDP children to be vaccinated for measles in SL
Over 36,000 internally displaced Tamil children in Vavuniya relief camps in Sri Lanka's north would be vaccinated against measles under a special 'child health campaign' to be launched next week.
Over 36,000 internally displaced Tamil children in Vavuniya relief camps in Sri Lanka's north would be vaccinated against measles under a special 'child health campaign' to be launched next week.
Nearly 100 public health midwives and 1,200 volunteers would participate in the campaign at 30 centres in Vavuniya where more than 2.6 lakh Tamil refugees have been put up in welfare camps.
Together with immunisation against measles, children would get a dose of vitamin A and de-worming tablets - two additional life saving interventions.
Children will also be given the polio vaccine.
The campaign has been jointly launched by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WHO and a coalition of other partners.
"This is aimed at countering the sporadic cases of measles which have occurred in the past months and prevent risk of further outbreak," a UNICEF statement said.
Speaking at a special measles training for health workers in Vavuniya, Deputy Director of Health Services Dr Ajith Mendis on Sunday thanked UNICEF and all those involved in the campaign.
