Deputy Director of Health Services in the Volta Region, Dr. Senanu Djokoto, has disclosed that approximately 275,465 children aged 9 months and under 5 years have been targeted for the immunization exercise against Measles and Rubella slated for October 2 to 6, 2024.
Engaging the media on September 13, Dr. Senanu Djokoto assured the public of the efficacy and safety of the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine that will be used. He emphasized that the required quantity of vaccines for the exercise is adequately supplied.
“We have more than enough vaccines. Vaccines are supplied throughout the year to meet our demands. We are to target 275,465 children (9-59 months), 16% of the total population. But it is not based on unvaccinated children,” Dr. Senanu Djokoto told The Independent Ghana.
Immunization will take place in health centers and at a number of temporary immunization posts set up in schools, markets, bus stations, churches and all communities in the country. Eligible children will be provided Vitamin A supplement during the campaign.
Parents are advised to ensure that their children remain at the place of vaccination for at least 15 minutes after administration of the vaccine.
Eight confirmed measles cases have been recorded so far this year, the Deputy Director of Health Services indicated.
Measles and rubella diseases continue to claim the lives of nearly 164,000 people worldwide every year, hence the need for Ghana to expedite its efforts to protect the health safety of its citizens.
The GHS has advised that anyone who has any previous severe allergies after receiving the MR vaccine, with a weakened immune
system (AIDS patient or cancer patient) or anyone seriously sick should not participate in the upcoming exercise.
Some children may react mildly to the MR vaccine. Some of the common reactions include fever, pain at the site of the injection, redness and swelling at the site and rashes.
Rubella
Rubella, also called German measles is caused by rubella virus: it is usually a non-life threatening disease but can be a very
dangerous disease in pregnancy. Rubella infection in early pregnancy may result in miscarriage or the birth of an infant with
congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). CRS can cause blindness, deafness, mental retardation, heart defects and a range of other
conditions from diabetes to autism (a disorder that affects the social, emotional, and behavioural development of children).
An estimated 112,000 babies around the world are born with CRS every year in Ghana. The incubation period of the rubella virus is
usually 14 days and begins at the moment of infection and lasts until the appearance of a rash. It is spread through direct contact with an infected person or pregnancy (virus can pass through the placenta into the circulatory system of the unborn child causing deformity to the unborn child).
Measles
Measles is a dangerous disease, which either disables or kills children. It is caused by a small germ, called the measles virus.
Measles is transmitted or passed from person to person when droplets containing the measles virus discharged from a patient’s mouth or nose, when he/she coughs or sneezes, are inhaled (breathed in) by another person. The period from infection to onset of symptoms is usually around 10 -14 days.
Symptoms of these two diseases include inflamed/red eyes (conjunctivitis), fever, skin rash, runny nose, cough, hearing problems.