VIENTIANE: Laos' Ministry of Health, in partnership with the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and the World Health Organisation, has launched a nationwide polio vaccination campaign to protect children across Laos, reported Xinhua.
The initiative, officially launched on Tuesday (Mar 3), underscores Laos' commitment to protecting all children from polio and strengthening the national immunisation programme.
The campaign will mobilise medical personnel and volunteers to reach over 800,000 children across the country, including those in remote and underserved communities, according to a report from the Lao Ministry of Health on Wednesday.
In his speech, Lao Deputy Minister of Health Phayvanh Keopaseuth noted that in 2025, Laos recorded laboratory-confirmed cases of polio and measles.
Outbreaks of these and other vaccine-preventable diseases were reported across multiple provinces and districts, with border villages particularly affected.
He noted that vaccination coverage in several communities has remained low for years, resulting in a growing number of unvaccinated children.
This trend has been observed in densely populated urban areas, sparsely populated regions and hard-to-reach locations, contributing to outbreaks of polio, measles and other preventable diseases.
To increase immunisation coverage and ensure no child is missed, the Lao Ministry of Health is administering polio drops and the measles-rubella vaccine to all children under five nationwide. The campaign aims to reach every eligible child, in both urban and rural areas, with the full course of vaccines.
Phayvanh emphasised the government's commitment to providing essential healthcare services for all children and described the campaign launch as an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage active participation from communities, local authorities, and parents. - Bernama-Xinhua
