The Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, today officially launched the National Measles-Rubella Vaccination and Vitamin A Supplementation Campaign at Stoneridge Clinic in Harare yesterday.
The campaign, which runs from October 7 to 10, seeks to reach at least 95 percent of all children aged 9 to 59 months with the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine, irrespective of their previous immunisation status. At the same time, all children aged 6 to 59 months will receive vitamin A supplementation to boost their immunity and protect against blindness.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Mombeshora described the campaign as a critical step toward safeguarding child health and preventing outbreaks.
“This campaign is part of our broader goal to achieve universal health coverage and ensure no child is left behind.
Measles and rubella are highly infectious diseases that can lead to serious complications and even death if children are not vaccinated. We cannot afford to be complacent,” he added.
He emphasised that the government, with support from UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Crown Agents, is ensuring that vaccines and supplements are freely available at all health facilities across Zimbabwe.
“Outreach teams have been deployed to every district, ward and village to make sure every eligible child is reached.
We are calling on all parents and caregivers to take their children to the nearest clinic or outreach point. Vaccination is safe, free and saves lives,” Dr Mombeshora added.
Dr Edwin Sibanda, Chief Director of Preventive Services in the Ministry of Health, underscored the urgency of maintaining high immunisation coverage following regional measles outbreaks in recent years.
“We must maintain population immunity above 95 percent to prevent new outbreaks.
Our goal is not only to vaccinate but also to educate communities on the importance of completing the full immunisation schedule,” Dr Sibanda said.
The Ministry urged families to cooperate with health workers and ensure that every child aged below five receives both the vaccine and vitamin A supplementation before the campaign closes on October 10.
