Millions of children vaccinated against measles in Somalia

Millions of Somali children have been vaccinated against the deadly disease measles during the past five days, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The agencies partnered with Somalia's Ministry of Health, to deliver the vaccines to a million children in the Puntland region, and a further 4.2 million across the country.

Dr. Ghulam Popal, WHO Representative to Somalia, said the agency would maintain its close partnership with the Government to control outbreaks of diseases such as measles.

"It's unfortunate that measles cases are still being reported while there is effective vaccine available," he said.

Around 23,000 suspected measles cases were reported last year, of which 83 per cent were in children under 10.

UNICEF acting Representative, Jesper Moller, said the crisis was "far from over" with the threat of famine looming large, adding that mass-vaccination campaigns were the only way to protect children.

UN Radio/GBCONLINE
---DECRYPTED---