LAUNCH OF MRI CAMPAIGN IN TANZANIA SPRINGS FROM DODOMA

A massive campaign on measles-rubella vaccination kicked off from Dodoma, targeting about 21 million children aged between nine months and under 15 years countrywide.

Tanzania becomes the first country in Africa that uses a single dose containing two antigens, for measles and another for rubella.

Speaking at the launch of the national campaign on Saturday in Dodoma, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Neema Rusibamayila, said due to repeated outbreaks of measles in the country, and the threat of rubella, the campaign will cover all children whether they had been vaccinated before or not.

However, children will also be vaccinated twice against the two infections in their lifetime; first when one reaches nine months and the second dose will be administered when a child turns 18 months.

During the seven day campaign beginning October 18, children will also get vitamin A supplements and anti worms as adults receive preventive/curative drugs against the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) of Elephantiasis.

Dr Rusibamayila said Tanzania experiences measles outbreak at least after three years but between 2010 and 2012, of all children that were suspected to have measles, nine per cent were diagnosed with rubella, hence showing the importance of introducing rubella antigens.

“Because not all children are taken for immunization, it is sometimes difficult to prevent outbreaks of such infections. But it is important that we insist on all children being vaccinated because they are among the most vulnerable, besides expecting mothers. This is among the low cost measures toward having a healthy nation and reducing mortality,” she said.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), about 2 million people in the world are affected by measles each year. 15,000 of them die and another 60,000 lose sight.

For his part, the Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Seif Rashid, said with the introduction of measles-rubella vaccination, the government aims to curb all types of disabilities and deaths from measles and rubella by 2020.

He added that apart from being a low cost approach to fighting diseases and reducing deaths, immunization is also an economic investment for the families and the nation at large.

PCC Lion Khan elaborated on the role of Lions in the MRI Campaign and was glad to advise that the efforts made since July this year had paved way for a successful outcome. LCIF had provided $12 ml for the initiative he mentioned.