'Help eradicate measles, rubella'
The Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Mr Francis Ganyaglo, last Tuesday launched the measles-rubella vaccination campaign in the Volta Region in Ho with a call for total eradication of the diseases in the country.
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The 10-day campaign starts from September 11 to 20, 2013 on the theme: " Prevent Measles and Rubella with One Vaccine; Vaccinate Now".
During the period, Mr Ganyaglo said a total of 719 teams comprising 719 vaccinators, 2,156 volunteers and 176 supervisors will be deployed throughout the region.
"For the campaign, a total of 958,073 children aged between nine months and 14 years will be vaccinated at various designated points in the region", he said.
The Deputy Volta Regional Minister noted that between January, 2010 and June, 2013, a total of 704 measles cases had been recorded throughout the country.
He said although the incidences were decreasing in numbers, the cases were still very frightening.
While assuring the people that the vaccine was safe, Mr Ganyaglo called on all to make the campaign successful by making sure that their children between the stipulated ages were vaccinated as part of efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4.
No Rubella case recorded
In a welcome address, Mr Winfred Ofosu, the Volta Regional Deputy Director of Health Services, said even though no cases of rubella had been recorded in the Volta Region, it was necessary to undertake the campaign.
He said between January, 2010 and June, 2013, 1,371 cases of rubella were recorded throughout the country, adding that this year alone, 96 cases of the disease were confirmed between January and June, 2013.
By Emmanuel Modey/Daily Graphic/Ghana