adminPatient Sibanda Chronicle Reporter
THE government is set to embark on a mass immunisation programme for all children between six months and 15 years of age to eradicate measles and rubella.The programme will commence on September, 28, and end on October 2. In a notice, the Ministry of Health and Child Care said all parents, guardians and schools should ensure that all children under their responsibility are immunised during the given dates.
The ministry said children would be immunised free of charge. “The Zimbabwe programme for immunisation in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, in cooperation with WHO, UNICEF, MCHIP, the Gavi project and rotary, is carrying out the mass immunisation of all children in Zimbabwe between the ages of six months and 15 years against measles and rubella and providing Vitamin A supplementation, between 28 September and 2 October 2015,” reads a circular given to children at a number of schools yesterday.
“All parents, carers and schools are requested to ensure that all children within their responsibility are taken for immunisation. There is no charge for vaccination. Details of the immunisation centres in your area can be obtained from any government health facility.” Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can spread rapidly in areas where people are not vaccinated. Worldwide an estimated 20 million people get measles and 146,000 of them die from the disease each year, according to the United States Centre for Disease Control.
On the other hand, rubella is a contagious, mild viral infection that occurs most often in children and young adults. The virus is transmitted by airborne droplets when infected people sneeze or cough. According to WHO, there is no specific treatment for rubella, but it can be prevented through vaccination.
Online Reporter