TRIPOLI — The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization are extremely concerned over severe shortages of critical vaccines in Libya that threaten the health of the country’s children. Over the past 7 months, unprecedented vaccine shortages in the country have disrupted children’s immunization schedules and put them at risk of disease and death.

There has been an alarming decline in the number of children receiving life-saving vaccines globally. In Libya, this decline is a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to the closure of international borders, movement restrictions, and delays in procuring and distributing vaccines. Many vaccination centers have been forced to close due to shortages of personal protective equipment for health workers.

A recent assessment of 200 of Libya’s 700 vaccine sites, carried out by the National Centre of Disease Control with the support of UNICEF and WHO, showed that all 200 sites had stockouts of BCG vaccine and extremely limited quantities of hexavalent vaccine. BCG vaccine protects children against tuberculosis (TB), the world’s top infectious killer. The hexavalent vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, poliomyelitis, Haemophilus B, and hepatitis B. The assessment also showed that polio and measles vaccines were expected to run out by the end of the year. Unless urgent measures are taken to replace these vaccines, the diseases they prevent are likely to spread quickly, with dire consequences.

UNICEF and WHO have urged the national authorities to secure the immediate release of funds to replenish the country’s vaccine supply. “Vaccines are one of the most critical public health interventions globally. Immunization protects children against serious vaccine-preventable diseases and reduces childhood mortality”, said Elizabeth Hoff, WHO Representative in Libya. “WHO will spare no efforts to enhance immunization coverage for children across the country in order to ensure a healthy childhood and a prosperous future.”

“While the world is looking at the multiple avenues to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to ensure that the gains achieved through the Expanded Programme on Immunization in Libya are sustained. It is essential that all the vaccination sites receive an immediate supply of all vaccines to ensure uninterrupted implementation of the immunization schedule based on the national protocols,” said UNICEF Special Representative in Libya, AbdulKadir Musse. “Vaccines are crucial, and no child is safe until every child is safe.”

UNICEF and WHO will continue to advocate for vaccination to save the lives of children, both in Libya and globally.