Princess Lalla Meryem launches nationwide immunization days

Princess Lalla Meryem, the Moroccan sovereign's eldest sister, launched Saturday the 14th nationwide immunization days meant to provide polio coverage for 2.8 million children under five and one million women at the reproductive age.

At the Rommani hospital, near Rabat, Lalla Meryem was briefed on the campaign to last through Oct.18 and which mobilized 16,700 personnel in 4,700 crews and 2,200 mobile units. This year's campaign stands out with automatic B-hepatitis vaccination for all newborns.

On Thursday, King Mohammed VI called for massive response to the first stage of this year's campaign saying the undertaking would help strengthen components of a modern Moroccan society.

Immunization ratio has been on the increase since 1987 with the launching of nationwide days meant to protect a million and a half of women from tetanus and 800,000 children from polio, small-pox, neo-nate tetanus, tuberculosis, diphtheria and whooping-cough.

The second phase of this year's immunization days is slated for November 21-25.