Caretaker Health Minister Firass Abiad announces the introduction of the oral vaccine against the rotavirus in the national immunization calendar on November, 17, 2022. (Credit: Twitter/@mophleb)
BEIRUT — During a Thursday press conference, Caretaker Health Minister Firass Abiad announced the arrival of an oral vaccine against rotavirus in Lebanon's national immunization calendar, to enhance children's protection against acute diarrhea caused by the virus.
"UNICEF has secured, with funding from the European Union, 100,000 doses of rotavirus vaccine to be available, free of charge, in more than 800 vaccination points in primary health care centers, a number of dispensaries and the clinics of nearly 160 pediatricians, with the aim of reaching all children under the age of one in Lebanon," said Abiad.
The Health Minister said that the vaccine is the eleventh to be introduced into the ministry's national immunization program. Three doses are to be orally administered to children at ages two, four and six months.
"The introduction of the rotavirus vaccine into the national immunization calendar was [motivated by] the increased risks of transmission of additional cholera epidemics through contaminated water due to the dilapidated state of water networks and their drainage in Lebanon," said Abiad, stressing that "the concerns of the Ministry of Public Health does not stop at providing treatment, but rather the ministry considers it its primary duty is to work toward disease prevention.”
Lebanon was recently struck by a cholera outbreak — the country's first since 1993 — after the first case was identified in northern Lebanon on Oct. 5. Cholera is usually caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the Vibrio cholerae bacteria present in feces.
Both rotavirus and cholera are especially contagious among infants and young children, causing diarrhea. Abiad stressed that "the rotavirus vaccine provides excellent protection for children and contributes to the protection of society."
Similar to cholera, "rotavirus mainly originates in unclean water, especially if it is contaminated," Abiad added, pointing out that "such diseases highlight the importance of creating good living conditions for people to enjoy good health."
The press conference was attended by UNICEF's representative in Lebanon and the head of the technical team at the World Health Organization, Elissar Rady.
“A study conducted by the organization with its active partners on the ground, especially UNICEF, showed that the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine on the national calendar has become an urgent necessity, " said Rady. "Especially given the infrastructure in Lebanon, which does not help protect people, especially children, from germs and diseases transmitted through water, and the rotavirus vaccine is characterized by providing immediate protection."