Immunizations

This week we went with the Kohls again as the immunization project here in Cambodia is being carried out. The goal is to immunize every child between 9 months and 15 years old. There have been no measles here for two years but the neighboring countries still have some outbreaks so the health ministry here in conjunction with the World health organization and LDS Charities are going everywhere in the country to immunize every child. They go to the schools and then the health clinics and in some places they go door to door. They expect 4 million kids to get vaccine this year.  The biggest worry now is for new babies whose mothers are exposed. The congenital problems are very severe. We heard that some older kids in Battambong refused the vaccine and the village chief sent the police to bring the kids to the clinic!  The village chiefs have quite a bit of power here. It was fun for us to see the little kids - some so brave and some terrified!  The kids get the vaccine, a vitamin drop and a worming pill. The they dunk their finger in purple so they can see who is finished. They are pretty proud of the purple finger. It was fun to see the kids in their classrooms too.