Immunization Drive in Gaza

Elizabeth Kiem: These students are among the 120,000 school children benefiting
from a vaccination campaign to protect them against measles,
mumps and rubella.

A fragile piece is holding Gaza since hostilities ended last month
but damaged to vital infrastructure is wide spread. Clean water and
nutritious food are in short supply.

UNICEF is working with the Ministry of Health to vaccinate
students in grades eight and nine and to educate them on how to
avoid infectious disease. Each student also receives a dose of
vitamin A to help fight off infections.

Charles Stricland: It’s a pleasure for UNICEF to continue assisting the Ministry of
Health and the Ministry of Health colleagues in providing
accessible health care particularly measles, mumps and rubella
vaccines to young people here in Gaza.

Elizabeth Kiem: UNICEF head of Gaza office Charles Strickland visited Solayman
Sultan Primary School in Gaza City where students lined up to
receive their jabs.

Charles Stricland: It’s been a long standing relationship dating back more than 10
years. It’s a relationship that we see continuing far into the future
and we’re hoping to help create a much healthier environment.

Elizabeth Kiem: Primary health care all but stopped during the conflict, UNICEF
and its partners are striving to make sure that Gazan children’s
health suffers as little as possible.

Elizabeth Kiem: This is Elizabeth Kiem reporting for UNICEF Television, Unite for
Children.