THE District Health Office in Mongu, Western Province has launched the 2024 Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign, aimed at reducing illnesses and deaths caused by vaccine-preventable diseases.
The six-day campaign, has been running this week and targets 41,732 children aged between nine months to five years in the district.
The vaccination has been running this week in public health facilities, community centers, schools, and markets.
Officiating at the launch, Mongu Mayor Nyambe Muyumbana emphasised on the importance of vaccination stating that Measles is a highly contagious disease that can cause severe complications and death, especially among children under five.
Muyumbana appealed to parents and guardians to ensure their children receive the Measles vaccine dose as it is the most effective method for prevention and control over the disease which has no cure.
“Even though children are typically with the most measles infection, it can occur at all ages. In pregnant women, measles infection may result in complications such as birth defects and premature birth for the new-born,” said the mayor.
While parents and guardians are encouraged to take their children to the nearest vaccination site to receive the lifesaving measles vaccine, government has committed to allocating sufficient funds for measles-rubella and other traditional vaccines.
And District Health Director Moffat Kasoka urged stakeholders, including traditional, religious, and civic leaders, to support the campaign.
The campaign is a collaborative effort between the District Health Office, private health facilities, and schools providing early childhood education.
By Buumba Mwitumwa
Kalemba September 26, 2024
