Almost 900,000 Guinean children will be vaccinated in the coming days against measles and rubella in a national campaign that also includes nutritional reinforcement and deworming and which begins today in Guinea-Bissau.
The initiative by the Ministry of Public Health, in collaboration with several international partners, runs until December 15th in all health regions of the country to vaccinate 896,745 children aged nine months to 14 years free of charge against measles and rubella.
The campaign also includes the administration of vitamin supplements to 335,473 children aged six to 59 months and deworming with Albendazole to 286,012 children aged 12 to 59 months, according to the Ministry of Public Health.
The Guinean Government is sending messages via cell phone informing the population of the campaign that has not been carried out since 2019 in Guinea-Bissau and that covers all 11 health areas of the country.
According to the information provided, "this new campaign aims to contribute to the elimination of measles and rubella, strengthening the immunity of children from nine months to 14 years of age."
Furthermore, "the campaign also seeks to combat nutritional deficiencies and intestinal parasites in children under 59 months."
The Government warns that "measles and rubella are highly contagious diseases that can lead to serious and fatal complications" and assures that "vaccination is the only effective way to prevent these diseases".
Vaccination, he adds, "is safe, effective and free, protecting children for life."
The campaign that begins today will be carried out in fixed posts in the health structures of the regions, with advanced teams in distant areas, mobile teams in areas of difficult access and temporary posts in markets, schools, and other public places.
The Ministry of Public Health is grateful for the technical and financial support of partners, namely, Global Alliance for Vaccination -- GAVI, World Health Organization -- WHO, Plan International and Unicef.
"This campaign is a crucial initiative to protect the health of our children and the general population, preventing serious illnesses and promoting the well-being of all of us", he emphasizes.
The Ministry counts "on the active participation of all parents and caregivers to ensure the success of this campaign."
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