Following the start of the Ebola outbreak in 2014, the intensely-affected countries suspended all large-scale national mass immunization campaigns for diseases like measles and polio. This decision was made as a safety precaution because typically immunization campaigns involve large gatherings of people as parents bring their children to the vaccination place. During the time Ebola was spreading widely, health authorities warned large group gatherings put more people at risk of contracting Ebola.
However, this necessary safety precaution put in place to contain Ebola resulted in the decline of child vaccinations. As the number of people with Ebola has dwindled since the height of the outbreak, countries are looking ahead to revive vital health services, such as these routine immunizations.

As part of this effort, WHO worked in close collaboration with the Sierra Leone government and partners, to plan and supervise the recent Maternal and Child Health Week national campaign. The campaign aimed to reach more than 1.5 million children under the age of 5, with life-saving immunizations. In addition, children’s nutritional levels were measured, deworming tablets were administered and HIV testing was available for pregnant women and their partners.

Although the fight against Ebola is not over yet, these early-recovery efforts that are currently underway are positive indicators that the affected countries are on their way to return to normalcy. This photo story, gives you a first-hand look at the campaign efforts on the ground.