GHANA— The Northern Regional Health Directorate has launched a National Measles-Rubella Vaccination and Vitamin A supplementation campaign targeting 412,942 children aged nine to 59 months in the region.
The campaign, set to run from October 2 to October 6, is themed: “Measles and Rubella Kill, Vaccinate Your Child Now for Good Life.”
This initiative aims to increase immunity against measles and rubella by achieving a minimum of 95% coverage at both national and district levels.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 700,000 children in Ghana are vulnerable to measles and rubella in 2023.
Additionally, the country has struggled to reach 95% coverage for the first dose of the measles-containing vaccine for the past five years, further emphasizing the need for this campaign.
During a press briefing in Tamale to launch the vaccination drive, Dr. Abdulai Abukari, the Northern Regional Director of Health, highlighted Ghana’s progress in controlling measles, noting that no child deaths have been recorded in the past 15 years.
However, Dr. Abukari stressed that both measles and rubella remain endemic in the country, underscoring the need for continuous vaccination efforts to protect children.
The campaign has several key objectives, including reducing measles and rubella morbidity and mortality, improving access to vaccination services, increasing vitamin A uptake in children, strengthening routine immunization systems, and raising public awareness about the dangers of these diseases.
As part of the effort, messages are being disseminated across the region, emphasizing that measles and rubella are deadly diseases that can cause deformities in children.
The campaign also highlights that fully immunized children still need extra doses for added protection, and all children aged nine to 59 months will receive the vaccines free of charge.
In addition to the measles-rubella campaign, the Northern Regional Health Directorate has introduced the malaria vaccine into routine immunization starting from October 1.
Dr. Abukari noted that the malaria vaccine not only reduces the frequency and severity of malaria in children but also lowers child mortality rates.
The vaccine, which is administered in four doses—at six, seven, nine, and 18 months—will be provided free of charge.
Dr. Abukari urged parents and caregivers to ensure that their eligible children participate in the campaign, as it is crucial to eliminating measles and rubella in Ghana.
Ghana Intensifies Measles and Rubella Vaccination Efforts in Ashanti Region
Similar campaigns have also been launched in the Ashanti Region, where Dr. Fred Adomako-Boateng, the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, highlighted the importance of reducing morbidity and mortality through vaccination.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign in Kumasi, Dr. Adomako-Boateng reiterated the need for stakeholders to work together to reach the 95% vaccination target.
The five-day exercise aims to vaccinate 903,973 children across all 43 districts in the Ashanti Region.
Vaccination teams will visit schools, homes, and public places, and mothers can also bring their children to vaccination posts in communities, health centers, and hospitals.
Dr. Adomako-Boateng also revealed that 50 districts have been identified as high-risk for measles outbreaks based on the WHO/CDC Measles Risk Assessment Tool.
He emphasized that as the number of unvaccinated children increases, the likelihood of outbreaks rises.
He provided a breakdown of confirmed measles cases in the region over the past six years, with the number of cases rising from nine in 2018 to 79 in 2023.
In his final remarks, Dr. Adomako-Boateng urged parents not to miss the opportunity to protect their children during the campaign, warning that measles and rubella can have severe and costly complications.
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