Sierra Leone citizens 'to receive yellow fever vaccinations'
23/11/2009
Millions of people in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Benin are being vaccinated against yellow fever, it has been reported.
The World Health Organization's (WHO) vaccination programme has started in west Africa and will see around 12 million individuals being offered the inoculation.
Along with the jab, the WHO will also administer de-worming tablets and vitamin A supplies, in order to improve health in the country and reduce the number of people at risk of catching yellow fever.
WHO spokeswoman Aphaluck Bhatiasevi, confirmed that the programme commenced on Monday 12 November 2009.
According to the organisation, yellow fever can be detected in historical texts as far back as 400 years ago. The word yellow features in the name of the condition due to the jaundice that it brings about in some sufferers.
It has caused "devastating epidemics" in Europe, Africa, South, Central and North America, but has not yet spread to Asia, the WHO's information shows.
Written by Clare Devlin 
