The Ghana Health Service in its quest to eliminate Measles- rubella has declared to embark on a nationwide Measles-rubella Vaccination for children between 9 months to under 5 years old.
This vaccination program is scheduled to take place in October from October 2, 2024, to October 6, 2024, at the nearest vaccination point or health center.
Addressing the media in a media engagement on Friday, September 27, 2024 at Takoradi Hospital, the Western Regional EPI Coordinator, Mr. Nicholas Adomako Asare said, “The theme for this year’s National Measles-rubella and Vitamin A Campaign is themed, ‘Measles and Rubella kill; Vaccinate your child now for Good life’.”
According to him, the main aim of the nationwide Vaccination is to vaccinate up to 95% of children from 9 months to 5 years old against Measles-rubella which if taken lightly can kill children. “Our aim is to vaccinate every child from 9 months up to 5 years against Measles-rubella as well as give such children Vitamin A to boost their immune system.” He emphasized.
He further talked about how important it is for them to embark on this program stating that, the country has started recording high numbers of positive measles cases across all districts.
“In fact, this is long overdue because currently from 2022 up to this year, we have recorded cases of measles over the period. In 2023, we have recorded almost 1316 positive cases across the country and during this mid -year from January to June, it was about 460 cases.”
This actually shows that there has been an update almost everywhere especially Western Region where every district have reported cases of measles. Therefore, this is the opportunity for us to respond to the update, so for that matter, the whole country is going to do a measles follow- up campaign 2024,” He explained.
In his final remarks, he called on the smooth cooperation of all parents and caregivers of children who fall between such age range to make their children avalanche for the vaccination.
“We encourage all parents and caregivers to deem the Vaccination a necessity and send their children to vaccination point or health center for them to get vaccinated when the time is due. They will also be vaccinated with Vitamin A to boost their immune system.” He urged.
Bernice Mensah
