Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kader Maiga
Published on 2024-03-22 16:57:31
Kangaba, March 22nd (AMAP) Similar to other localities in Mali, the measles and rubella vaccination campaign began on Friday, March 22nd, 2024 in the 23 health areas of the Kangaba health district, as observed by AMAP.
The launch took place at the central Community Health Center (CSCOM) of Kangaba in the presence of the full steering committee under the presidency of the Circle Prefect, Abou DAO.
Before administering the first injection, the chief physician of the reference health center, Dr. Moussa SOUGANE, provided some useful information about the two diseases. According to him, measles is a viral disease caused by the measles virus. It is highly contagious, with transmission occurring through human-to-human contact via saliva droplets.
Children aged 9 months to 14 years are most at risk. Measles can lead to complications such as death, blindness, malnutrition, and neurological complications. Prevention is based on vaccination, which is highly effective. As for rubella, it is a viral disease caused by a virus from the Togavirus family.
Rubella is transmitted through saliva droplets expelled by the infected person. Infected individuals are contagious one week before the onset of the skin rash and up to 14 days after.
Transmission to the fetus is also possible if a pregnant woman is infected during the early months of pregnancy. Prevention is based on vaccination, which is highly effective.
According to Dr. SOUGANE, the objective of this campaign is to contribute to the elimination of measles-rubella by strengthening the collective immunity of children aged 9 months to 14 years and the vaccination system in Mali by 2030.
The goal is to vaccinate at least 95% of the target population of 9 months to 14 years, estimated at 64,865 in the Kangaba health district, within a week.
To reach all children in terms of human resources, 144 vaccinators, 216 volunteers, and 3 district-level supervisors have been deployed in the field. This is in addition to the presence of a UNICEF consultant.
Unlike previous campaigns that used a door-to-door strategy, this campaign employs a classic approach with the use of fixed and mobile vaccination strategies.
After these clarifications, the Prefect proceeded to launch the measles-rubella vaccination campaign in the Kangaba health district.
SD/KM (AMAP)
Read the original article(French) on AMAP
