PHILOS vaccinates for measles

Urgent MMR vaccination campaign carried out in the island of Lesvos on February 7-9, by PHILOS members in collaboration with the NGO Médecins Sans Frontières, Médecins du Monde and Iliaκtida. In total, 1343 of 1878 children aged 15 years and over residing at Moria’s reception and identification center as well as in Karatepe’s hospitality center were vaccinated, raising vaccination coverage to 92%.

This action was deemed necessary and took place in a very short time in order to prevent spread disease to non-vaccinated population following the first three confirmed cases of measles in refugee children living in the centers. The vaccines used were an offer of Médecins Sans Frontières, while vaccinations will continue on new arrivals.

In the time ahead, PHILOS executives plan to conduct in cooperation with NGO’s active in Lesvos, health promotion informational campaigns in the reception centers and refugee hosting structures of the island, as well as to further expand the vaccination programme.