Next round of vitamin A supplementation starts in Uzbekistan

Vitaminization will be free and provided at all medical establishments on place of residence, the ministry said.

The goal of the campaign is to protect of health of children, improve their immunity, decrease vitamin a deficiency.

Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient for the immune system. According to WHO, an estimated 275 million people are vitamin A deficient and it is likely that in vitamin A deficient areas a substantial proportion of pregnant women is vitamin A deficient. An estimated 250 000 to 500 000 vitamin A-deficient children become blind every year, half of them dying within 12 months of losing their sight.

Vitamin A deficiency leads to decrease of immunological efficiency of vaccination and growth of illnesses.

The Ministry noted that 23 rounds of vitamin A supplementation was held in Uzbekistan so far. Each round attracted over 2.2 million children. In this round, it is expected that 2.6 million people will receive vitamin A.