Measles Immunization and Child Health Days campaign 2010
Campaign diary day 9: 1 June 2010
By the end of Day 8, 3 993 301 children had received measles vaccination and 1 336 274 had been given vitamin A supplements.( The target group for vitamin A supplements includes all children aged 6 months to 5 years who have not received supplements within the last 4 weeks. The target group for measles vaccination includes all children aged 6 months to 15 years regardless of their previous immunization status. This figure is expected to change because reports received from the districts for day seven and eight are not yet complete. ). In terms of population vaccine coverage in different provinces, Manicaland has covered about 83% of its target, Mashonaland central 66%, Mashonaland East 80%, Mashonaland West 74%, Matabeleland North 71%, Matabeleland South 67%, Midlands 69%, Masvingo 70%, Bulawayo 71%, Chitungwiza 83% and Harare 66% against a benchmark of 95% (see graph below).
A supervision team randomly sampled five households in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza, an area densely populated by the Johan Masowe sect of Apostolic faith members. It was found that all children in the households visited had been vaccinated, with evidence of marking. The parents indicated in interviews that the group had agreed to have all the eligible children in their households vaccinated.
In another positive development, ongoing interactions between Chitungwiza Municipality Health Department and the sect’s head in the area are expected to continue as they have been mutually beneficial, enabling health workers to reach previously hard-to-access people and reduce avoidable illness and death within this community.
Health workers from the various provinces have remained highly motivated during the last days of the immunization. The National Coordinating Committee and supporting teams will continue to liaise with provinces to assess the progress towards meeting the set targets, replenish supplies if additional stocks are needed, monitor and investigate adverse events following immunization (a few mild cases have been reported) and plan for the post-campaign survey.
For more information, please contact:
Wendy Julias
World Health Organization
+263 (4) 253 724
+263 (91) 243 1408
Email: JuliasW@zw.afro.who.int
