The Guardian: Polio in Ukraine: nationwide vaccination campaign needs to start straight away
Giovanna Barberis, UNICEF’s representative in Ukraine

“Next week a nationwide polio vaccination campaign should start in Ukraine. I say should because we’ve been here before. The campaign should have actually started weeks ago. … [A] number of factors have led to the low levels of children immunized against polio and other vaccine-preventable diseases in the country. Local and vocal anti-vaccine groups, insufficient vaccine supply, and the conflict in eastern Ukraine all complicate the situation. … It’s critical to make sure that this campaign doesn’t just happen but that it’s effective and reaches every child possible across the country. Only then can we ensure that this debilitating disease is contained and the health and well-being of Ukraine’s children, and those further afield, is protected for the benefit of all” (10/16).