In a major initiative to protect children from infectious diseases, the Ministry of Public Health in Lebanon launched a nationwide vaccination campaign on Thursday targeting polio, measles, rubella and varicella.
Supported by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Lebanese Association of Pediatricians, the campaign took place at the Farah Al Ataa Association’s center for displaced people in Karantina, Beirut.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Public Health, the campaign is an urgent response to protect children in Lebanon, especially given the recent displacement of over 1.2 million people due to ongoing regional conflicts.
Overcrowded shelters have increased the risk of disease spread, prompting the Ministry’s team to provide essential vaccinations to children aged 0 to 10 at hospitality centers across the country. The first phase focuses on shelter residents, while the second phase will reach children in their homes throughout Lebanon.
Caretaker Minister of Public Health Dr. Firas al-Abiad emphasized the critical nature of the campaign, underscoring that controlling the spread of disease is essential to protect all children, both displaced and non-displaced.
“We plan to contain any potential epidemic in Lebanon to ensure the safety of our communities,” he said, also announcing that an influenza vaccination campaign will begin next week, targeting the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.
UNICEF’s representative in Lebanon, Edouard Beigbeder, reinforced the importance of the campaign, stating, “Today, we are united by our commitment to protecting Lebanon’s children. Amid multiple crises, Lebanon faces the threat of outbreaks in crowded areas. This campaign is an urgent response to safeguard children and our society from vaccine-preventable diseases.” Beigbeder urged parents to take advantage of the free, safe, and effective vaccinations.
WHO Program Manager Dr. Elisar Radi praised the Ministry’s proactive health response, noting that the organization continues to provide essential support despite limited resources and high needs.
Dr. Bernard Jarbaka of the Lebanese Association of Pediatricians affirmed that vaccines are widely available in Lebanon, including at shelters, health centers and clinics, and called on healthcare providers to remind parents to vaccinate their children.
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