UNICEF to assist Kyrgyzstan in procurement and delivery of high-quality vaccines against measles

UNICEF will assist in raising public awareness about the forthcoming national immunization campaign against measles and rubella, as well as in the procurement and delivery of high-quality vaccines, the UN Children's Fund in the Kyrgyz Republic reported.

According to it, UNICEF will support the efforts of the Ministry of Health in the development of new interactive resource on the Internet, print, video and audio materials to help the citizens of Kyrgyzstan get the full accurate information about vaccination and, in particular, about the forthcoming national immunization campaign.

"Over ten years UNICEF has been supporting the Ministry of Health on providing the desired temperature at all stages of the transport and storage of vaccines, and currently the work on the purchase and delivery of high-quality vaccines has begun. It will be procured through UNICEF Supply Division in Copenhagen (Denmark), which provides purchase of only qualitative products. Kyrgyz Government allocated funds in the amount of 34.4 million soms for the first phase of activities," the fund explained.

"According to estimates of WHO and the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, a national campaign covering the entire population from 1 year to 20 years - only way to stop the outbreak of measles in Kyrgyzstan. Since there is no specific treatment directed against measles virus, vaccination of the population - the only way to protect the individual and the population as a whole. Measles vaccine is safe and effective: 95 percent of vaccinated get stable immunity for 10-15 years. It's much easier to endure vaccination than the disease, its complications are dangerous," the statement said.

Also it is noted that, according to the Ministry of Health, currently the country has enough vaccines for routine immunization against measles and rubella children of 1 year and 6 years, according to the National calendar of preventive inoculations and vaccinations for people who were in contact with patients within 72 hours.