From AFP
Ukraine launches delayed polio vaccination drive
Kiev, Oct 20, 2015 (AFP) -
Ukraine reported Tuesday the start of a polio vaccination drive that began only after health groups accused Kiev of being critically late in responding to Europe's first outbreak since 2010.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed in late August that two Ukrainian children had been crippled by the virus in the crisis-torn nation's southwestern Zakarpattya region.
But international relief groups condemned the Ukrainian authorities in early October for having done nothing since then to prevent the dangerous situation from spiralling out of control.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) reports that Ukrainian children have not been vaccinated against polio since 2008 -- a failure that could lead to outbreaks outside the EU-bordering former Soviet state.