Govt calls on society groups to work together

Natasha Kokai Herald Reporter
Government has called on healthy stakeholders to work together to overcome barriers to vaccination. The call was made by Minister of Health and Child Care Dr Obadiah Moyo during the national launch of the 2019 Measles Rubella Campaign and Vitamin A supplement in Seke yesterday. The campaign runs from 23 to 27 September 2019, whilst targeting children from six months up to five years.

Dr Moyo said from 2015 to date, a number of children were missing vaccinations and that this campaign was now aimed at getting all the children immunised.

“Statistics from our immunisation programme for the year 2015 to date tell us that an increasing number of our children are missing measles vaccinations,” he said.

“This campaign now aims at getting all the children protected from measles in the spirit of leaving no one behind. As we launch this campaign, I am aware of barriers to vaccine access like religion, culture, geographic terrain and others. May I call upon health teams and local leaders to work together during this upcoming campaign and beyond to explore ways of overcoming these barriers and have all the children vaccinated.

“This campaign is sanctioned by government for the benefit of all children in the target age groups regardless of religion, beliefs or social standing.”

Dr Moyo applauded partners that supporting government’s efforts of reaching out to all the children.

“Allow me to acknowledge and thank GAVI – the vaccine alliance, WHO, UNICEF, JSI, World Vision, Lions Club and all other partners of the Ministry in the Immunisation Programme for always being there to support Government’s efforts to reach out to every child with immunisations,” he said.

“The immunisation programme will remain high on the government’s agenda as we move towards Universal Health Coverage. I strongly believe that there cannot be Universal Health Coverage without a very strong immunisation programme in the country.

“So, let us all take our part in promoting the immunisation of eligible children in the upcoming measles rubella vaccination.”