Yellow Fever shots for 12m
2009-11-22 21:29
Johannesburg - Health workers are about to launch a yellow fever vaccination campaign for nearly 12 million West Africans.
World Health Organisation spokesperson Aphaluck Bhatiasevi said the workers will begin vaccinating in Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone on Monday. She says local health teams also will offer vitamin A and de-worming tablets and, in Sierra Leone, the measles vaccine.
There are an estimated 200 000 cases of yellow fever worldwide each year, causing 30 000 deaths, according to WHO.
The mosquito-borne virus is endemic in Africa, and there is no known cure. The 30-year vaccine is effective for 99% of people.
WHO says some 29 million people have been vaccinated in West Africa since 2007.
- SAPA