The Ghana Health Service (GHS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Health Partners have launched a six-day national Measles-Rubella vaccination and Vitamin A supplement campaign to improve the general health and survival of Ghanaian children, under the theme, “Measles-Rubella Kills; Vaccinate Your Child Now for Good Life”.
The campaign, aimed at ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages to help reduce the number of measles-rubella cases in the country.
The campaign, expected to start from October 17 to 22, 2018 is targeting at immunising over four million children from 9 months to under 5 years in all the 216 districts.
Speaking at the function, Dr George Bonsu, the Programme Manager, Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI), said data indicated that measles kills almost 90,000 people globally each year and it was a leading cause of death in Children under five years.  He said measles had been the major killer before the 1980’s and ranked second to malaria in Ghana, adding that, reports had also revealed that 100,000 children are born with Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) globally.
Dr Bonsu noted that in 2017; 19 cases of Measles and Rubella were recorded but as at January to August 2018, 29 cases have been recorded hence the need to intensify campaign on the disease.
He urged Ghanaians especially parents to ensure that they take their eligible children for the immunization to help prevent and eliminate measles and rubella.
Dr Quansah-Asare in her welcome address said the country had made significant gains in controlling measles for the past 15 years saying “no child has died from measles in the country”.
She said that notwithstanding, measles and rubella is endemic in Ghana, hence, the need for the campaign as the disease could kill and maim children.
Dr Quansah-Asare also reiterated the safety and effectiveness of the measles and rubella vaccines and noted that the immunisation would take place in health centres and at a number of temporary posts set up in schools, markets, bus stations, churches and all communities in the country.

For more information please visit https://www.afro.who.int