Asmara, 13 January 2024 – The Ministry of Health conducted a workshop on January 12 and 13 in Asmara to launch a measles and rubella vaccination campaign and vitamin A supplementation program.
The main objective of the vaccine that is scheduled to be given to children aged 9 to 59 months from April 10 to 14 is to introduce a new approach to move measles and rubella from control to the eradication stage and prevent and control cross-border infections.
In the workshop that was attended by heads of regional health branches, conveners of vaccination programs, awareness and information bodies, and representatives of relevant UN agencies, the activities and results of the cervical cancer vaccination campaign, the measles epidemic, and the importance of developing an action plan on the measles and rubella vaccination campaigns, awareness raising and preparation of campaign materials, post-vaccination monitoring of adverse effects, and vitamin A supplementation programs were discussed.
Representatives of vaccination programs in the regions explained the overall objectives, expansion of health facilities, plans for the national vaccination and vitamin A supplementation programs, supplies, facilities, and budgets required for the campaign, and potential challenges. They gave suggestions and recommendations to ensure that facilities are delivered in a timely manner and awareness activities are intensified.
Head of the National Immunization Program at the Ministry of Health, Mr. Tedros Yihdego, told the Eritrean News Agency (ERINA) that the national implementation of vaccination programs has been successful, and more than 487,000 children aged 6 months to under 5 years will be vaccinated against measles and rubella, and more than 500,000 children are planned to be given vitamin A supplementation during the national campaign that will start in April.
