Rohingyas get vaccinated with anti-diphtheria

A joint vaccination campaign was launched in Cox's Bazar yesterday against diphtheria and other preventable diseases for all Rohingya children, aged 6 weeks to 6 years, living in 12 camps and temporary settlements near the Myanmar border, reports UNB. The government of Bangladesh, with support from Unicef, the World Health Organization and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, launched the campaign. Accelerated immunisation will cover nearly 255 000 children in Ukhiya and Teknaf sub-districts in Cox's Bazar, while the government and health partners continue to increase support for diphtheria treatment and prevention.

"Diphtheria usually appears among vulnerable populations that haven't received routine vaccinations, such as the Rohingyas. The outbreak shows a steep rise in cases, an indicator of the extreme vulnerability of children in the Rohingya camps and settlements," said Unicef Representative to Bangladesh Edouard Beigbeder.

This calls for immediate action to protect them from this killer disease. Vaccination provides effective prevention, said the official. Recent data from the WHO Early Warning Alert and Response System (EWARS) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) shows 722 probable diphtheria cases, including 9 deaths, in the camps and makeshift settlements hosting the refugees, between 12 November and 10 December.

"The government of Bangladesh will do everything necessary to contain this outbreak," said Director General of Health Services Dr Abul Kalam Azad.

The children are being administered pentavalent vaccines (which protects against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Haemophilus Influenzae, and hepatitis B), pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) and bivalent oral polio vaccine.

The Serum Institute of India has donated 300 000 doses of pentavalent vaccines for use in the response.

Next week, three rounds of tetanus diphtheria (Td) vaccines will be provided to Rohingya children, aged 7 to 15 years, and 10 000 health and development workers in Rohingya settlements. A total of 900 000 doses of Td are arriving today in the country, for this purpose. "We're moving quickly to control this diphtheria outbreak before it spins out of control. The vaccines will help protect every Rohingya child in these temporary settlements from falling prey to the deadly disease. Beyond vaccinations, we're helping health workers to clinically manage suspected cases, trace their contacts, and ensure sufficient supplies of medicines," said WHO Representative to Bangladesh Dr Navaratnasamy Paranietharan. WHO is procuring 2 000 doses of diphtheria anti-toxins to treat diphtheria patients. Nearly 345 doses were hand-carried by WHO from Delhi to Cox's Bazar.

Diphtheria is an infectious respiratory disease caused by a potent toxin produced by certain strains of the bacterium Corynebacteriumdiphtheriae. It spreads through air droplets by coughing or sneezing. Risk factors include crowding, poor hygiene and lack of immunization.

 

Rohingyas get vaccinated with anti-diphtheria

A joint vaccination campaign was launched in Coxs Bazar yesterday against diphtheria and other preventable diseases for all Rohingya children, aged 6 weeks to 6 years, living in 12 camps and temporary settlements near the Myanmar border, reports UNB. The government of Bangladesh, with support from Unicef, the World Health Organization and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, launched the campaign. Accelerated immunisation will cover nearly 255 000 children in Ukhiya and Teknaf sub-districts in Coxs Bazar, while the government and health partners continue to increase support for diphtheria treatment and prevention. Diphtheria usually appears among vulnerable populations that havent received routine vaccinations, such as the Rohingyas. The outbreak shows a steep rise in cases, an indicator of the extreme vulnerability of children in the Rohingya camps and settlements, said Unicef Representative to Bangladesh Edouard Beigbeder. This calls for immediate action to protect them from this killer disease. Vaccination provides effective prevention, said the official. Recent data from the WHO Early Warning Alert and Response System #40;EWARS#41; and Meacute;decins Sans Frontiegrave;res (MSF) shows 722 probable diphtheria cases, including 9 deaths, in the camps and makeshift settlements hosting the refugees, between 12 November and 10 December. The government of Bangladesh will do everything necessary to contain this outbreak, said Director General of Health Services Dr Abul Kalam Azad. The children are being administered pentavalent vaccines (which protects against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Haemophilus Influenzae, and hepatitis B), pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) and bivalent oral polio vaccine. The Serum Institute of India has donated 300 000 doses of pentavalent vaccines for use in the response. Next week, three rounds of tetanus diphtheria (Td) vaccines will be provided to Rohingya children, aged 7 to 15 years, and 10 000 health and development workers in Rohingya settlements. A total of 900 000 doses of Td are arriving today in the country, for this purpose. Were moving quickly to control this diphtheria outbreak before it spins out of control. The vaccines will help protect every Rohingya child in these temporary settlements from falling prey to the deadly disease. Beyond vaccinations, were helping health workers to clinically manage suspected cases, trace their contacts, and ensure sufficient supplies of medicines, said WHO Representative to Bangladesh Dr Navaratnasamy Paranietharan. WHO is procuring 2 000 doses of diphtheria anti-toxins to treat diphtheria patients. Nearly 345 doses were hand-carried by WHO from Delhi to Coxs Bazar. Diphtheria is an infectious respiratory disease caused by a potent toxin produced by certain strains of the bacterium Corynebacteriumdiphtheriae. It spreads through air droplets by coughing or sneezing. Risk factors include crowding, poor hygiene and lack of immunization.