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Baghdad/Erbil, 26 May 2015| Iraqi children under five this week are again the centre of a mass vaccination campaign that started on 24 May across all governorates in Iraq to keep the country polio-free after completing one year since the last case of polio was recorded in a 34 month old girl in Rasafa Sector of Baghdad on 7 April 2014.
Iraq launched its initial response to combat polio in line with a major, multi-country response to the regional outbreak confirmed in Syria in 2013. Multiple vaccination rounds held in country since then have helped to protect the children of Iraq from paralysis caused by this incurable disease. Despite ongoing conflict, mass population displacement and a complex and unpredictable security situation, only two cases of polio were confirmed in Iraq during the regional outbreak in early 2014.
WHO Country Representative to Iraq Dr Syed Jaffar Hussain said “Despite the civil unrest that engulfs over a third of the country, polio campaigns have continued to reach up to 90% of children, through collaborative efforts with multiple line ministries and local partners.” He paid rich tribute to polio vaccination team members and parents of Iraqi children and appealed to the international community and partners for their continued financial and technical assistance over the next 12 months for four additional nationwide vaccination campaigns. “Community efforts have been well acknowledged by the Independent Monitoring Board for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in their recent meeting. However, significant risks continue to exist and thus there is no room for complacency.” Dr Jaffar added.
UNICEF Country Representative to Iraq Phillippe Heffinck added, “The polio effort in Iraq has been successful despite tremendous challenges. The collaboration and leadership of the Ministries of Health and strong collaboration with partners such as WHO have established community ownership for polio campaigns, and created a strong platform for rolling out strong routine immunization services. Both of these achievements are not only remarkable, but essential to keep Iraq polio-free and improve the health of all Iraqi children.”
In May 2015, in a report of the WHO’s Emergency Committee convened under the International Health Regulations (IHR), Iraq was one of five countries removed from the list of ‘States infected with wild poliovirus but not currently exporting’. The major public health achievement reflects the effort and commitment of the Ministry of Health of Iraq, partners and the hard work of thousands of health workers throughout the country despite a complex and volatile security situation. The report however highlighted that Iraq is still ‘vulnerable to international spread’ and must remain vigilant to ensure all children receive polio vaccine every time it is offered. Any lapse in routine immunization or polio vaccination campaign coverage could again leave Iraqi children vulnerable to preventable diseases.
The IHR recommended Iraq should enhance surveillance quality to reduce the risk of undetected wild poliovirus transmission, particularly among high risk mobile and vulnerable populations; intensify efforts to ensure vaccination of mobile and cross-border populations, Internally Displaced Persons, refugees and other vulnerable groups; and enhance regional cooperation and cross border coordination to ensure prompt detection of wild poliovirus and vaccination of high risk population groups.
The coordinated emergency polio outbreak response was boosted by the generous contributions from governments of Britain, Germany, USA and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, along with support from Rotary International.
Impressive gains have been made in the global program but the risk of reinfection in Iraq remains. In 2015, polio is only found in two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, but this virus can easily make its way into any population where children are not adequately vaccinated through routine immunization or outreach campaigns. Polio does not respect borders so until the world is polio free, polio anywhere is a threat to children everywhere. Government of Iraq has reported a funding gap of 45 Million US$ for remaining 2015 and 2016 to keep Iraq polio-free.
For further information, please contact:
– Ms. Ajyal Sultany, Communications Officer, WHO Iraq Office, sultanya@who.int, +964 7510 101 469
– Ms Pauline Ajello, Communications and Donor Relations, ajellopa@who.int, +964 7809 288 618
– Mr Jeffrey Bates, Chief of Communications and Strategic Partnerships UNICEF Iraq, +964 7801964524, Email: jbates@unicef.org