Sudan launches mass measles vaccination campaign

(Patria) - Sudan's health ministry says it will vaccinate children against measles across the country, where more than three million people have been driven from their homes since fighting began in April.

"Most displacement camps offer vaccination services through mobile medical teams," says Health Minister Haitham Ibrahim. The doses were provided by the UN children's fund, Unicef.

White Nile and Sennar are likely to be the first states targeted. Remote areas, including Darfur, where some of the worst fighting has occurred, are also said to be a priority, although staffing is at 60% due to a lack of funds, reports the BBC.

It is not clear how operations will proceed amid ongoing clashes between rival Sudanese military forces, or whether safe passage will be granted for them to carry out their work.

Some regions have been more challenging than others, says Ibrahim. "In Al-Gezira state, vaccination coverage reaches 90% of children, including internally displaced persons. In some states, vaccination coverage has dropped from 60% to just 47%."

Measles is a serious concern, with 1,000 detected cases in seven states and numerous child deaths, he says.