KENYA / IMMUNIZATION

UNICEF has begun a campaign to immunize children in Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya. It will target 202,665 children under five, with measles and polio vaccines, together with Vitamin A and de-worming tablets. UNICEF

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:30
• Production Date: 2 August 2011
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND - UNICEF
• Subject Topical: HEALTH; HEALTH SERVICES; DISEASE PREVENTION; DISEASE CONTROL
• Geographic Subject: KENYA; SOMALIA
• MAMS Id: U110802e

Description

STORY: KENYA/ IMMUNIZATION
TRT: 2.30
SOURCE: UNICEF
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / SOMALI / NATS

DATELINE: 1 AUGUST 2011, DADAAB. KENYA

Shotlist

1. Various shots, newly arrived refugees in camp
2. Med shot, immunization officer next to baby and mother
3. Close up, baby
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Melissa Corkum, Communication Specialist, UNICEF:
“We need to immunize all children, new arrivals, existing even in the host communities because these children are coming from areas where we haven’t been able to immunize for a significant period of time and because they are malnourished, they’ve travelled a long distance to come here, dehydration, they hungry, we really need to immunize quickly to put an end to any possible disease outbreaks in the camps and in the host communities.”
5. Various shots, immunization campaign
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Antonia Kamora, Community Health Officer, International Rescue
Committee:
“The new arrivals they have very little knowledge of medical issues, so they are not ready to take these vaccinations, and they have so many fears so we have to allay those fears fast before they accept the vaccinations.”
7. Various shots, family
6. SOUNDBITE (Somali) Kadijo Hussein, Somali Refugee:
“I didn’t know anything about vaccination, I have never heard about this in Somalia, But today these people have told me the importance of immunizing my children, that’s why I have accepted.”
7. Various shots, refugees in camp

Storyline

Hundreds of thousands of refugees have fled Somalia escaping drought and famine.

But already weakened by hunger, they face another enemy—disease.

UNICEF has launched a massive immunization campaign in the Dadaab camps in Kenya to ensure that the most vulnerable are protected from measles and polio.

SOUNDBITE (English) Melissa Corkum, Communication Specialist, UNICEF:
“We need to immunize all children, new arrivals, existing even in the host communities because these children are coming from areas where we haven’t been able to immunize for a significant period of time and because they are malnourished, they’ve traveled a long distance to come here, dehydration, they hungry, we really need to immunize quickly to put an end to any possible disease outbreaks in the camps and in the host communities.”

The campaign, which also gives the children Vitamin A and de worming treatments, is targeting more than 200,000 children under five.

SOUNDBITE (English) Antonia Kamora, Community Health Officer, International Rescue Committee:
“The new arrivals they have very little knowledge of medical issues, so they are not ready to take these vaccinations, and they have so many fears so we have to allay those fears fast before they accept the vaccinations.”

Measles can spread rapidly in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions and it will kill the weak and hungry. Persuading mothers who’ve no previous experience of vaccination is vital.

SOUNDBITE (Somali) Kadijo Hussein, Somali Refugee
“I didn’t know anything about vaccination, I have never heard about this in Somalia, But today these people have told me the importance of immunizing my children, that’s why I have accepted.”

UNICEF and its partners are working quickly in Dadaab to try and contain what is now the world’s worst humanitarian disaster. Made even more vulnerable by hunger, these children must be reached quickly if a major outbreak is to be avoided.