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May 8, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Kenya Plans National Anti-Measles Immunization in June"

PANA Wire Service (allafrica.com) (05/07/02)

An $11.6 million measles immunization campaign, which will target 14.6 million children between the ages of nine months and 14 years, is planned in Kenya for June 17 through June 23, says Kenyan Public Health Minister Sam Ongeri.  Last year, only nine deaths were associated with measles, which infected 11,304 people, but already this year there have been seven measles-related deaths out of 5,160 reported cases.  Women of child-bearing age and girls will be the focus of the immunization campaign, which will also include tetanus vaccinations and vitamin A distribution.  UNICEF will obtain and distribute the vaccines, provide injection equipment, dispose of used syringes, and provide the campaign with $5.5 million in funding.  The initiative is also supported by the American Red Cross, CIDA-Canada, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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