TRIPOLI, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on Thursday said it has completed delivering vaccines for millions of Libyan children.
"The third UNICEF-chartered plane has arrived at Mitiga airport, Tripoli, completing the delivery of a total 4.7 million doses of Measles, Rubella and Polio vaccines, as well as 2.75 million doses of Vitamin A supplement, syringes and safety boxes," the UNICEF said in a statement.
The vaccines are an essential part of the National Vaccination Campaign, run in coordination with the World Health Organization, that will take place later in November.
The campaign aims to protect about 2.75 million children in the country from vaccine-preventable diseases, the UNICEF explained.
This year, Libya is suffering from a shortage of routine vaccines, especially polio and measles. Libyan officials have blamed it on the country's dire economic situation, lack of funds, and delays in government procurement orders.
