Children in quake-hit areas receive free vaccinations

Children in quake-affected areas in southwest China's Sichuan Province are receiving free hepatitis A, and Measles, Mumps and Rubella, or shortened as MMR vaccinations, in an effort to prevent infectious disease outbreaks.

Children aged between 18 months and 14 years are being given one dose of hepatitis A vaccine. Children aged between 8 months and 14 years are receiving gills leprosy vaccine. The free vaccines are being administered at resettlement sites, which started Monday and will go on till May 12th. It covers more than 38,000 children in Lushan, Baoxing, Tianquan counties. The 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Yaan city on April 20th.

Health officials say there have not been any infectious disease outbreaks or public health emergencies. And measures to ensure safe drinking water and sanitation at resettlement sites have already been implemented.