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March 15, 2002

"Zimbabwe: Children to Be Vaccinated Against Measles"

Africa News Service (www.allafrica.com) (03/14/02)

In conjunction with the World Health Organization, Zimbabwe's Ministry of Health and Child Welfare plans to follow up its 1998 measles immunization program with a new $92.5 million effort beginning in June.  The new program will target at least 2 million children under the age of five with shots and vitamin A supplements.  In 1999, a national survey revealed a critical Vitamin A deficiency nationwide, which can cause night blindness and a predisposition to respiratory infections.  The 1998 measles vaccination effort reached 93 percent of the targeted children, while the 1996 campaign reached 96 percent of children, helping to reduce the number of measles cases in Zimbabwe by 80 percent.

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