GHS to start Measles vaccination, Vit A from October 2 to 6

The Ghana Health Service in collaboration with the Regional Coordinating Council has embarked on a Measles Rubella and Vitamin A supplementation campaign. Meanwhile, confirmed cases of Measles Rubella had been increasing with 460 cases confirmed in 2022, with 1317 in 2023 and 616 cases for the first half of 2024. Disruption in Immunization service delivery because of COVID-19 pandemic led to Immunity gaps. Mr. Nicholas Asare Adomako Programme Coordinator told the Ghana News Agency that Measles and Rubella infections are transmitted through the droplets from person to person. He added that Measles ranked second to Malaria in disease burden. Also, Rubella could be transmitted through placenta during pregnancy. He mentioned the signs and symptoms of these diseases are low grade Fever, red eyes, runny nose, white spots in inner parts of the cheeks and Rash (starting from hairline and proceeding to rest of the body) and Cough. The complications include Blindness, Deafness, Brain Damage, Malnutrition, Pneum onia, Diarrhoea, Seizures and Death. Again, he said there were about 100,000 children who were not vaccinated at all in routine Immunization every year. 'These children remained susceptible and may build up overtime which may lead to outbreaks if nothing is done to reach them with vaccines,' he added. The Measles Rubella follow up campaign is scheduled for October 2-6, 2024. Mr. Adomako said immunization would take place in health centres and at several temporary Immunization services set up in schools, markets, bus stations, churches, and all communities in the country to Immunize all eligible children. The goal, he indicated was to eliminate the condition by 2030. Source: Ghana News Agency