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Guerrero, Mexico – Health authorities in the state of Guerrero are intensifying vaccination campaigns targeting children, following a recent increase in reported cases of preventable diseases like measles and polio.The initiative, launched on October 26, 2023, aims to reach over 350,000 children under the age of five across Guerrero’s 81 municipalities.
The renewed focus on childhood immunizations comes amid growing global concerns about declining vaccination rates,wich the World Health organization (WHO) and UNICEF have warned could lead to resurgences of diseases previously nearing eradication. Guerrero, a region with historically lower vaccination coverage rates compared to the national average of 85%, is notably vulnerable.
The current vaccination schedule includes doses for diseases such as polio, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and pneumococcal disease. Health officials are emphasizing the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, addressing misinformation circulating within some communities. Mobile vaccination units are being deployed to remote and underserved areas, including the mountainous regions of the Sierra Sur and the Costa chica, to ensure equitable access.
Dr. Ana Luisa Morales, head of the Guerrero State Health Services (Servicios de Salud de Guerrero), stated that the campaign is a collaborative effort involving federal health agencies, local municipalities, and community health workers. “Our priority is to protect the health of our children and prevent outbreaks of thes serious diseases,” she said during a press conference in Chilpancingo on October 27th. “We urge all parents and guardians to take advantage of this opportunity to ensure their children are fully vaccinated