Global vaccination drive launched

Bill Gates believes in vaccination

Mozambique has became the first African nation to receive children's vaccines under a global campaign launched in January.

The first baby to be vaccinated was three-month-old Esperanza - meaning "hope" in Portuguese - at a clinic in Boane, south of the capital Maputo.

Vaccines for a relatively small investment create unbelievably large result. That's the magic

Bill Gates Sr

The initiative, known as the billion dollar fund, was launched with a $750m contribution by Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

It aims to make vaccination available to children across 75 of the world's poorest countries.

About 3 million people die every year as a result of preventable diseases.

'Magic'

"I am so happy my baby will be healthy," said Justine Muguambe as her baby - Esperanza - became the first child to receive the vaccine - one of 1.3 million doses for Mozambique alone.

The first vaccine - which works against hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough - was handed over by Bill Gates Sr, who heads the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - the charity kick-starting the campaign.

About 3 million children die for lack of vaccines

"Vaccines for a relatively small investment create unbelievably large result. That's the magic," Mr Gates said.

The ceremony was also attended by Mozambican Health Minister Francisco Songane and the head of the United Nations children's agency, UNICEF.

Mozambique is one of 25 countries that have qualified for the first round of vaccinations, under strict conditions of accountability demanded by the new fund.

The international programme is being administered by the Global Alliance for vaccines and Immunisation - GAVI - a coalition of governments, UN agencies, charities, drugs companies and other health institutions.

Speaking at the ceremony, GAVI President Jacques-François Martin said another billion dollars was needed for more countries and children to benefit.

Mr Martin said that every year 30 million children were not immunised and 3 million died.