The Philippine government and the World Health Organisation (WHO) launched a vaccination campaign for children on November 22 to prevent an outbreak of measles and polio among survivors of typhoon Haiyan.
The Department of Health and WHO said they are targeting areas hardest hit by typhoon Haiyan in the central Philippines , starting with the evacuation centres in Tacloban city and in Cebu province.
Children under five years old will be vaccinated against polio and measles and will be given Vitamin A drops to boost their immune systems.
WHO said the vaccination campaign will be extended to children up to 15 years old, depending on their resources.
A team of 20 volunteer nurses will be deployed to Tacloban City this weekend to support local health workers.
Dr. Julie Hall, WHO Representative in the Philippines , said many children in congested areas especially those who have not been vaccinated are at risk of contracting and spreading infectious diseases such as measles.
"Measles can be deadly, especially in young children," Hall said in a statement.
Millions were rendered homeless after typhoon Haiyan struck central Philippines on November 8. Based on the latest official data, the typhoon killed 4,015 and injured 18,567 others.
More than 1, 600 still remain missing almost two weeks after the typhoon ravaged the country.
According to the International Labour Organisation, the typhoon left 5.2 million people in the country temporarily or permanently unemployed.
The organisation is collaborating with the Philippine government to conduct an urgent recruitment programme in hard-hit regions.
It is also seeking partners and donors for restructuring the affected cities and creating jobs for the evacuees.-VNA
The Department of Health and WHO said they are targeting areas hardest hit by typhoon Haiyan in the central Philippines , starting with the evacuation centres in Tacloban city and in Cebu province.
Children under five years old will be vaccinated against polio and measles and will be given Vitamin A drops to boost their immune systems.
WHO said the vaccination campaign will be extended to children up to 15 years old, depending on their resources.
A team of 20 volunteer nurses will be deployed to Tacloban City this weekend to support local health workers.
Dr. Julie Hall, WHO Representative in the Philippines , said many children in congested areas especially those who have not been vaccinated are at risk of contracting and spreading infectious diseases such as measles.
"Measles can be deadly, especially in young children," Hall said in a statement.
Millions were rendered homeless after typhoon Haiyan struck central Philippines on November 8. Based on the latest official data, the typhoon killed 4,015 and injured 18,567 others.
More than 1, 600 still remain missing almost two weeks after the typhoon ravaged the country.
According to the International Labour Organisation, the typhoon left 5.2 million people in the country temporarily or permanently unemployed.
The organisation is collaborating with the Philippine government to conduct an urgent recruitment programme in hard-hit regions.
It is also seeking partners and donors for restructuring the affected cities and creating jobs for the evacuees.-VNA
