UN-backed vaccination scheme in Tajikistan achieves almost universal success

Nearly every Tajik child between the ages of one and 14 received vaccinations against measles and rubella during a two-week, United Nations-backed campaign this month to fight the spread of the diseases in the mountainous Central Asian country.

The immunization campaign, run by Tajikistan’s health ministry and supported by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), reached more than 2.2 more children, or 97 per cent of those children between the ages of one and 14.

The vaccinations took place in clinics, schools and pre-school institutions across the landlocked country, while mobile units were used to reach children in the most remote districts. At least 6,000 health workers were needed to carry out the campaign.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that those children who missed out on vaccinations will have another opportunity to be immunized between now and the end of this month.

Vaccinating against rubella will also become a part of routine immunization treatment in Tajikistan as of next month, OCHA added.

Meanwhile, the UN aid wing reported that the latest national data indicates that 44 people have been killed, nearly 40,000 hectares of cultivated land affected and $22 million of damage caused by natural disasters in Tajikistan so far this year.

The greatest destruction was wrought by spring floods and mudflows, but earthquakes, avalanches and disease epidemics also made an impact.

In August the UN and humanitarian partners launched an appeal for $7.7 million to assist Tajiks still suffering as a result of the natural disasters, particularly the spring floods and mudflows. Earlier this month only $1.2 million had been received from the international community.