4.7 million Iraqi children vaccinated

In coordination with the Iraqi Ministry of Health (MOH), USAID implementing partners, including UNICEF, launched an emergency polio immunization campaign to prevent the resurgence of the disease. The campaign reached 4.7 million children in five days. Detailed micro-planning and micromapping of all districts was conducted to ensure comprehensive coverage. Preliminary figures from all governorates revealed that 90 percent to 98 percent of the targeted children were vaccinated. Iraq has had no known cases of polio in the past four years, despite recent outbreaks in Yemen, Sudan, Egypt, and other countries. The MOH, drawing from its experience with similar USAID projects, was able to draw on 9,537 professional and volunteer vaccination teams and 1,615 field supervisors deployed from primary health care (PHC) centers throughout the country. USAID partners assisted the effort, providing 10.2 million vaccine doses along with transportation and logistical support to vaccination teams, field supervisors, and independent monitoring teams. Additionally, 4,222 cartons of safety boxes were delivered to collect used syringes and vaccine vials, an important component in vaccine safety and environmental protection.