Mr. Chairman

The Vice President Republic of Sierra Leone

Minister of Health & Sanitation

Representatives from the Ministry of Health and Sanitation

Representatives from the Local Council

Colleagues from the United Nations

Members of the media

Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of the United Nations in Sierra Leone, I would like to express my pleasure and gratitude to be here with you today and to speak on the occasion of the launch of the Measles and Polio Immunization Campaign.

The United Nations in Sierra Leone (in this case represented by UNICEF and WHO) is once again proud to be part of this important effort that is being led by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, to eliminate Measles and completely kick Polio out of Sierra Leone,  

This task cannot be achieved without the high level political commitment as demonstrated by His Excellency the President and continued collaboration among all partners and the support of the population.

I would like to strongly recognize the Government of Sierra Leone for their continued leadership.

I would also like to thank all partners – Rotary International, GAVI, OFDA, DFID, various national and international NGOs, Civil Society and media organizations for their moral, financial, logistical and technical support which are essential to make these immunization campaigns successful.

From 5-10 June 2015, an estimated 1.4 and 1.3 million children under 5 years of age will benefit from immunization against Measles and Polio respectively even if the children have received these vaccines in previous rounds.

Measles is highly infectious and a major cause of child mortality. Cases have been reported this year in Sierra Leone and hence the need to protect our children.

Polio is a dangerous disease that threatens the lives of children in this country and the sub-region and has been targeted for eradication globally.

As we move towards the recovery phase of the devastating effects of the Ebola outbreak, it is important that we revitalize our health service delivery systems and strengthen them to be more resilient to ensure effective disease prevention and control across the country.

By vaccinating children against Measles and Polio and providing them with routine immunisation as per schedule, we are laying the foundation for a healthy nation that will provide the human resources for the future and for national development.

At the start of the campaign today, I am appealing to all parents and guardians of children who are below the age of five to make sure that the children receive the Measles and Polio vaccines.

I would also like to encourage them to tell their neighbours, friends and other community members about the campaign.

The vaccines are safe and even if children under 5 years might have received these vaccines in previous rounds or through their routine immunization services, they should receive it again in this campaign.

I am also appealing to all of those participating in the campaign - vaccinators, supervisors, mobilisers, councils, chiefdom authorities - to ensure every child under the age of five years in every part of the country is reached.

Let me conclude by extending our special respect and appreciation to the Ministry of Health and we would like to thank the vaccinators, supervisors and community mobilisers who are working tirelessly for the better health and wellbeing of all citizens of this country.

The UN will continue to support the government of Sierra Leone to ensure the goal of Measles elimination and Polio eradication are realized.  May I take this opportunity to wish all of us a successful campaign.

Thank you for your attention!