Princess Lalla Meryem launches annual nationwide immunization days

Morocco's Princess Lalla Meryem, chairwoman of the Moroccan observatory of children rights and UNESCO goodwill ambassador, launched on Wednesday the annual nationwide immunization campaign in a small village in the central region of El-Haouz.

The princess was accompanied by other UNESCO goodwill ambassador who are taking part in Euro-Mediterranean conference on children rights and human security held in Marrakesh this Oct. 22-24.

The princess heard explanations on the Moroccan strategy to control vitamin deficiencies, mainly through vitamin supplements for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and awareness to the need to eat food containing iron and iodine.

According to a health ministry survey, 45% of pregnant women, 35% of children aged between 6 months and 5 years and 31% of women in procreating age suffer from iron deficiency, while 22% of children aged between 6 and 12 years are affected by vitamin A deficiency.