28 September 2007

Global update on vaccine-derived poliovirus

The Weekly Epidemiological Record publishes today its update on vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs) detected in 2006 and 2007. Understanding VDPVs is essential to reducing and managing the risk of polio cases and outbreaks caused by these viruses. 

The update contributes to a more thorough understanding of VDPVs, especially circulating VDPVs (cVDPVs), which can cause polio outbreaks in areas with low rates of coverage with oral poliovirus vaccine. The update covers cVDPVs detected in several countries, including Cambodia, Myanmar and Nigeria. The previous global update was published in October 2006. 

More on cVDPVs in general and in Nigeria

2 September 2007

Iraq polio vaccination campaign aims to reach most vulnerable children

Another massive effort begins today to deliver a critical vaccine to as many Iraqi children under five years old as possible - 4.8 million children in total - even in the country’s most insecure and remote areas. Reaching the most vulnerable and displaced children is critical.

Almost 20,000 vaccinators will participate in the house-to-house drive, set to last five days. Their goal: to reach as many of Iraq’s under fives as possible with the oral polio vaccine (OPV), wherever they live, traveling by boat, car and on foot. Teams will also be working in every vaccination hospital and Primary Health Care Centre across the country. More