President Choumaly Sayasone(center) participated in National Immunization Week

Laos launced a one-week national campaign from Nov. 12th to Nov. 18th, to eliminate measles nationwide as part of an effort to reduce child mortality rate. Party President Choummaly Sayasone appealed to mothers to bring their children, aged 9 months to 15 years-old, in for vaccination.

As part of the campaign, the government sent mobile health units to remote villages to provide anti-measles vaccination, as well as de-worming tablets to children between one and five years-old, and vitamin A to children between six-months and five-years old.

The launching of the National Immunization Week was part of the government's effort to improve the health conditions of Lao youngsters who suffer a mortality rate of 98 per 1000 for children under five, the highest among ASEAN nations. By implementing this campaign, Lao officials hoped to reduce child mortality rate to 75 per 1000 by the year 2010. 

Listen to our Laos Today report for more details.