WHO and UNICEF Yemen Collaborate on Emergency Integrated Measles and Rubella vaccination campaign in 13 governorates in Yemen

The Ministry of Public Health and Population (MOPHP) in Aden in collaboration with UNICEF and WHO is set to implement a Measles-Rubella (MR), vitamin A and COVID-19 integrated vaccination campaign. This joint effort aims at combatting the ongoing outbreaks and the spread of measles and rubella in Yemen.

The 6-day integrated Measles & Rubella vaccination campaign kicked off this morning of Saturday, 23 September 2023 and will target 1,267,082 children aged 6 months to 59 months across 121 districts in 13 governorates. The campaign will integrate COVID-19 vaccinations for the high-priority group in fixed and temporary fixed sites. A total of 3,025 medical teams, consisting of 847 fixed teams and 2,178 mobile teams, will be deployed for a minimum of six days.

Dr. Arturo Pesigan, WHO Representative in Yemen, and Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative to Yemen, expressed their commitment to this joint effort. Dr. Pesigan stated, “Our commitment to Yemen's children is unwavering, and we stand united with the government to strengthen the immunization program as a cornerstone of primary health care on our path to achieving universal health coverage.”

The World Health Organization Yemen and UNICEF Yemen are working closely with the Yemeni government, partners, and communities to guarantee the success of this integrated effort. By bringing together their efforts and resources, WHO and UNICEF strive to enhance vaccine coverage, protect vulnerable communities, and prevent future outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative to Yemen warns: “measles can kill, but vaccinating children against measles will save their lives. The vaccine is safe and is effective”. Hawkins continues to call upon everyone to “join in and make sure that every child between 6 months and 5 years of age is vaccinated”.

The campaign is made possible with the generous support of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, USAID, and the World Bank. Their assistance enables UNICEF and WHO Yemen and the Yemeni government to strengthen the routine immunization, reduce the zero dose children, protect vulnerable populations, and prevent future outbreaks of these diseases.

This campaign's integration of measles and rubella vaccines, vitamin A supplementation with COVID-19 vaccinations shows a comprehensive approach to public health. By tackling numerous diseases at the same time, the campaign aims to optimize its impact and contribute to Yemen's general health and well-being.

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About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org/yemen.

About WHO

WHO works worldwide to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. Our goal is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and well-being.  For more information, visit WHO EMRO | Home | Yemen site | Countries

For more information, please contact:

Shatha Al-Eryani, WHO Yemen, saleryani@who.int

Kamal Al-Wazizah, UNICEF Yemen, kalwazizah@unicef.org