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According to the two UN agencies, vaccination rates have dropped by as much as 50% in some countries, with people lacking access to health services due to transport blockages and disruptions or unwilling for fear of catching COVID. 19.
Polio and measles vaccination campaigns, designed to fill gaps in essential services, also had to be suspended to prevent possible infections of health workers and communities while protective measures were in place.
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“COVID-19 is having a devastating impact on public health and vaccination services in particular, around the world,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
“Unlike COVID, however, we have the tools and knowledge to stop diseases like polio and measles. What we need are the resources and commitments to implement these tools and skills, “he added.
“If we do this, the lives of the children will be saved.”
UNICEF and WHO estimate that approximately $ 655 million will be needed to fill dangerous immune gaps in middle-income countries that are not eligible for Gavi’s support. Of this, $ 400 million will be needed to help respond to the polio outbreak in 2020-2021 and $ 255 million to prepare, prevent and respond to measles outbreaks over the next three years.
With an urgent call for action, the two UN agencies have warned that if the situation is not controlled, it will present “an ever-increasing risk of explosive outbreaks and possible further international spread of polio and measles”.
Henrietta Fore, executive director of UNICEF, said the world cannot allow the fight against a deadly disease – COVID-19 – to influence the fight against other diseases.
“Fighting the global COVID-19 pandemic is critical. However, other deadly diseases also threaten the lives of millions of children in some of the poorest areas of the world. It is for this reason that we urgently call for global action by heads of state and government, donors and partners, “he said.
“We need additional financial resources to safely resume vaccination campaigns and prioritize immunization systems that are critical to protecting children and warding off other epidemics besides COVID-19.”
WHO and UNICEF also urged countries to respond urgently to emerging disease outbreaks, prioritize vaccination in national budgets, and step up collaboration with partners to increase synergies.
They also noted that new tools are expected to be implemented in the coming months, including a new next-generation oral polio vaccine and an upcoming Measles Outbreak Strategic Response Plan to address these growing threats more effectively and sustainably, and ultimately , save lives.
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