26 Nov 2013

Mass vaccination underway in Philippines

9:10 pm on 26 November 2013

A mass vaccination programme is underway in the Philippines to immunise children affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

About 33,000 children are being vaccinated against measles and polio, starting in evacuation centres in the city of Tacloban and other areas hardest hit in the massive storm almost three weeks ago.

The World Health Organisation is helping the Philippines Health Department with the immunisation programme. The organisation says measles can spread very quickly among the children now living in crowded conditions.

The death toll from Haiyan stands at 5209, with more than four million people displaced, the BBC reports.

The United Nations says aid delivery is gathering pace as more roads and ports open. However, it says major problems remain, including the distribution of food and access to clean water and shelter material.