Measles Vaccination Campaign starts in Khomas Region today!

The Ministry of Health and Social Services begins a measles vaccination drive in the Khomas Region today, and is calling on the parents of all children aged six- to 59 months (just under five years old) to get their children to the nearest clinic to be vaccinated.

The campaign is in response to the measles outbreak that started a few months ago, and that has already seen 12 measles-related fatalities.Chairperson of the National Health Emergency Management Committee (NHEMC), Dr Jack Vries, yesterday told The Namibian that to date, 725 cases of measles have been confirmed across the country, while results for 112 more suspected cases are still being awaited.The outbreak first started in the Engela District in Ohangwena Region in late July, following a mass outbreak of the disease across the border in Angola. A vaccination campaign took place in the region in mid-September to curb the infection and spread of measles, but its presence in the Khomas Region, and particularly in Windhoek, has been startling.Vries said that 37 vaccination points have been set up at clinics and posts across the Khomas Region, and that the campaign will last until Friday.’Parents should bring their children, irrespective of whether they have been vaccinated before, and whether or not they have a health passport with them,’ Vries said, stressing the importance of the vaccine.He said that if necessary, the campaign would be extended to accommodate all the children.Measles is an infection of the respiratory system caused by a virus. Symptoms include a sudden onset of fever, coughing, runny nose, red eyes, and a generalised fine rash that spreads down the body. It is spread by coughing and sneezing, and close contact with fluids from an infected persons nose and mouth.Possible complications include diarrhea, pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and conjunctivitis (commonly called ‘pink eye’) or even blindness. nangula@namibian.com.na