By: Rachel Kakraba and Mabel Awagah.
The Ghana Health Service has commenced a nationwide Integrated Measles-Rubella Vaccination campaign which will run from 2nd to 6th October. The initiative which is a mop up to routine vaccination exercises is to further fortify and protect children below five years against measles and Rubella, as Ghana strives to reach elimination of measles. It will also see the target population receive Vitamin A supplements. The five-day exercise targets more than five million children below age five.
Measles is an infectious disease which manifests with rashes starting from the head to the whole body. Symptoms include fever, cough, conjunctivitis and sneezing. Although Rubella has similar symptoms as measles it usually has a mild fever. It can, however, cause serious problems for unborn babies whose mothers become infected during pregnancy. The Integrated Measles Rubella vaccination campaign is therefore aimed at giving children extra protection from the disease, whereas the Vitamin A Supplementation has enormous health benefits for children.
Speaking at an official launch in Accra, Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye, said the COVID 19 outbreak resulted in the disruptions of some immunization drives, leading to an increase in measles. Dr. Kuma Aboagye, encouraged caregivers to avail their children for the exercise adding that vaccines are safe.
“Our target is to vaccinate about five million children aged between nine months and 59 months in all sixteen regions of the country. Additionally, we aim to reduce measles and rubella disease and by ensuring that every child receive the vaccine”
He said the exercise will employ different strategies to reach all children in the target population. Dr. Kuma Aboagye, emphasized that the service remains committed to break the cycle of the disease which will save the lives of millions of Ghanaian children.
Director of Public Health, Dr. Franklin Asiedu Bekoe, said Measles and Rubella could cause life threatening deformities among children. He stated that immunization can protect children against these diseases to ensure a healthier future for Ghana.
“Vitamin A helps with vision and helps protect children from diseases therefore an integrated measles-rubella and vitamin A supplementation campaign for children under five is welcoming and timely as it will prevent further surge in measles cases across the country.
Adding on he said, “Let us remember that our action today will shape the health outcomes of future generations, together let us leave a lasting impact in the fight against measles rubella and other vaccine preventable diseases in the country to ensure a healthy future of our children”
President Private School Early Childhood Education, Mrs. Lydia Ofosua Ani-Asamani, who chaired the ceremony, called for community collaboration to ensure that every child receives the necessary vaccines. She said this is a duty society owes future generations. “This initiative is more than just vaccination; it’s building a healthier, stronger Ghana for the future”
Officer in Charge, WHO Ghana, Dr. Frank John Lule, renewed commitment of the WHO, in supporting Ghana in measles- rubella elimination efforts. He encouraged districts, especially those in underserved communities to take full advantage of the five-day exercise to protect their children.
