Rwanda: vaccination campaign

The ICRC is taking part in a campaign aimed at preventing children up to 5 years old from contracting polio. The programme is being implemented in Rwanda by the government and organizations such as UNICEF, with the ICRC being asked to supervise vaccinations in the prefectures of Kigali and Gitarama.

During the coming month, more than 33,000 children will be immunized with ICRC help . Delegates will bring vaccines packed in ice to health centres where the immunizations are to take place, and teach the local staff how to administer them. As there is a chronic lack of medical personnel in Rwanda, many teachers and students are engaged in this campaign, and require close supervision.

" The mothers are arriving with their children in large numbers at our health centres " , said Gisela Cischerwski, an ICRC nurse. " They are aware that vaccinations are important. We also vaccinate children against other diseases such as tuberculosis and measles. It's a simple and very effective way of saving young lives. "