Immunization Newsbriefs (c) Copyright Information Inc., Bethesda, MD. Brought to you by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii). Visit NNii's new website at http://www.immunizationinfo.org.

------------------------------------------------------------

April 10, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Sierra Leone: Over 650,000 Children Targeted for Immunization" Africa News Service (www.allafrica.com) (04/08/02)

The World Health Organization is funding a massive polio immunization campaign in north and east Sierra Leone that expects to vaccinate over 658,000 children under the age of five against the disease this week.  In March, the first round of polio vaccinations were given to approximately 648,000 children via a door-to-door immunization strategy, said International Consultants leader Zakari Wambai.  Formerly inaccessible areas, which are now accessible due to improved security, will be the focus of the polio campaign in order to rid the disease from Sierra Leone.

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.