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Iraq vaccinates 2 million children against polio

The Iraqi health authorities affirmed the country is polio-free and mass vaccinations aim to prevent the spread of the disease.
DOHUK, IRAQ - OCTOBER 17: Syrian refugees children who fled the Turkish incursion in Northern Syria receive medicine for polio and measles as more than 200 arrive at the facility on October 17, 2019 in Dohuk, Iraq. More than 1000 refugees have arrived in Northern Iraq since the beginning of the conflict, with many saying they paid to be smuggled through the Syrian border. (Photo by Byron Smith/Getty Images)

Iraqi health authorities, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, launched Nov. 30 a mass polio vaccination campaign targeting more than 1.9 million children under the age of five.

Iraq had completed 1.7 million vaccinations by Dec. 16, Iraqi Minister of Health Hassan al-Tamimi told Al-Monitor.

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