Ensuring a healthy future for children
through an integrated measles campaign supported by USAID
Meaza Tesfay (28) lives in Wukro, Hayelom Kebele (sub-district), Tigray region. She lives with her husband Haftom Aregawi, and her two children Amlakawit (11 months) and Heran (5). She was very excited when she heard about the measles campaign and stood in a long queue along with other moms early morning at the Wukro Health Centre.
"I came early in the morning because, I want to get my child vaccinated. I want my children to be healthy," said Meaza.
Sister Azeb Tsaedu, a nurse and member of the immunization team, vaccinated Amlakawit with a measles dose.
“I was afraid that the measles outbreak and other diseases from lack of Vitamin A and albendazole will occur and children will get sick. That’s why I was in the forefront and ready to give the vaccine and health education. During the campaign, the commitment of the vaccination team at Wukro Health Centre was remarkable,” said Azeb.
After more than a yearlong interruption of the routine immunization service, an integrated measles supplementary immunization campaign, along with Vitamin A supplementation and deworming started.
Overall, a total of 690,000 children are estimated to be vaccinated against measles in the two phases of the campaign in the months of January and February. Out of the six zones that conducted the measles campaign, three zones overachieved 100 per cent and above while three zones achieved between 91 per cent (North west zone) 93 percent (Mekelle) and 82 per cent Eastern Zone respectively. For the zones that achieved less than 95 per cent, vaccination will continue at the health posts to ensure all the children are covered.
UNICEF, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Tigray Regional Health Bureau and WHO launched an integrated measles, vitamin A supplementation, deworming and nutrition assessment of children as well as pregnant and lactating women. The objective is to prevent measles outbreak and provide Vitamin A to children from 6- 59 months and provide deworming for 24-59 months for the prevention of intestinal parasitosis and contribute to the reduction of child and maternal morbidity and mortality.
Besides providing financial and technical assistance, UNICEF also supported in raising public awareness by developing and disseminating messages on different media platforms including on radio and TV.
Meaza was so excited to see her daughter get the measles vaccine, vitamin A supplementation and deworming tablets: “I always hoped to provide my two children all the necessary care and protection."
