Rwanda will protect almost 5 million against measles and rubella this week
Rwanda’s measles-rubella vaccination campaign, which is being launched today, is the beginning of an effort to vaccinate more than 700 million children under 15 years of age against two disabling and deadly diseases. The combined measles-rubella vaccine will be introduced in 49 countries by 2020 thanks to financial support from the GAVI Alliance. The support … Read more
Kenya surpasses 95% target as nearly 6 million children are vaccinated in nationwide measles campaign
Text by Zorodzai Machekanyanga, WHO Photos courtesy of the Kenyan Red Cross Kenya conducted its nationwide measles Supplemental Immunisation Activities (SIAs) successfully from 3 to 7 November 2012, and vaccinated nearly 6 million children aged 9 to 59 months, reporting 99% coverage. In addition to measles vaccine, all targeted children were given supplemental doses of Vitamin A. … Read more
Schools, communities rally to reach more than 6.4 million Zambian children with measles vaccine
By Mark Maseko, Communication Officer, UNICEF Zambia More than 6.4 million children in Zambia aged between 6 months and 15 years – 46% of the population – had an opportunity to receive the life-saving measles vaccination during a week-long national campaign in mid-September. Schools, strong social mobilization and grassroots-level involvement Schools were fully involved in … Read more
Inspired leadership for measles & rubella elimination
We can “literally change the fate of millions of children around the world,” said Gail McGovern, as she opened the Measles & Rubella Initiative’s Partnership meeting in Washington D.C on September 18th. The President and CEO of the American Red Cross went on to praise the strategy to combat two diseases – measles and rubella – … Read more
Introducing Robert Kezaala, Head of Measles & Rubella, UNICEF
Through his work in EPI, measles and polio, Dr. Robert Kezaala is well known to many in the field of immunization. Unicef recently welcomed him as head of its measles and rubella programme, where he’ll be working closely with partners of the Measles & Rubella Initiative. Before his Unicef appointment Robert served as a Medical … Read more
Afghanistan vaccinates over 5.7 million children in combined measles and polio campaign
The coverage results are in, and show that the first round of a vaccination campaign in Afghanistan has already reached a remarkable 5.7 million children with measles vaccine. In mid-July, more than 27,000 health workers, volunteers and community mobilizers spanned 16 provinces in Afghanistan in a week-long drive to help stop transmission of measles and … Read more
Mass vaccination in Uganda: Lions Clubs dedication to eliminating measles
Notes from the field: a guest blog by Benjamin Futransky Lions, known worldwide for their dedication to preserving sight, have joined the Measles & Rubella Initiative in the effort to end measles. Benjamin Futransky, a Lions Clubs International Foundation staff member, recently traveled to Uganda while Lions Clubs members were actively involved in the country’s national … Read more
“Measles Touches Our Hearts”: Lions Clubs mobilise to help stop measles everywhere
Lions, known worldwide for their dedication to preserving sight, have joined the Measles Initiative in the effort to end measles. Through a challenge grant from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lions Clubs International will mobilize US$15 million to support measles campaigns through the Measles Initiative. In addition, Lions Clubs members are helping to ensure … Read more
Great practices: Five Highlights from Myanmar’s Measles Campaign
It wasn’t in the news much, but Myanmar ran a nationwide measles vaccination campaign during the last ten days of March. The objective? To reach 6.4 million kids aged 9 months to 5 years with measles vaccine. I spent last week in Myanmar monitoring the campaign which was supported by the Measles Initiative. This was … Read more
Yemen’s effort to stop a deadly measles outbreak
Yemen is reporting encouraging results so far in a national campaign aimed at stopping the most deadly measles outbreak in years. In the first phase of the campaign from 10-15 March, health workers planned to protect 1.5 million kids living in the areas worst affected by the outbreak. “There was a lot of energy around … Read more
