United Nations and international aid agencies 
are conducting a second round of polio vaccinations in 
Angola this weekend  (Saturday and Sunday).  Lisa 
Schlein in Geneva reports the agencies hope to 
immunize nearly three-million children under age five.


TEXT:  Aid workers in Angola hope they can reach most 
of the same children who received the first part of 
the polio vaccination in June.

But only children in government-controlled areas of 
Angola are being immunized against the crippling 
disease.  Lynn Geldof of the United Nations Children's 
Fund, UNICEF, says that unfortunately, Angolan 
officials were  not  able to negotiate access to areas 
held by UNITA rebel forces.
            

      We have to work with what we have.  It's a 
      disappointment.  In practice, it's terrible that 
      we couldn't reach these children who are just as 
      much in need in those areas.  But, that's the 
      reality we have to live with.  And, it's better 
      to immunize two-point-nine-million children 
      against polio, than  not  to go at all.

Ms. Geldof says those children who are vaccinated will 
be safe from the effects of polio, which can lead to 
paralysis and, in some cases, to death.  She says the 
anti-polio campaign also will prevent the transmission 
of the virus to children who live in adjacent 
countries.

Ms. Geldof says the preparation and training required 
for the polio immunization program in Angola was 
enormous.
        

      We're talking here of 22-thousand-250 health 
      workers or immunizers, mobilizers working in 14-
      thousand-24 mobile teams, going around from door 
      to door, every house, looking for children under 
      five.  The door-to-door approach has proved to 
      be more effective than having fixed sites where 
      people bring their kids.
        

Ms. Geldof says international donors provided the 
money for the polio vaccination campaign in Angola -- 
about four-million U-S dollars.


 
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