Measles vaccination campaign in Madagascar, Cases climb to 69,000

The measles outbreak in Madagascar has grown to a total of 68,912 cases since October, including 926 deaths, the World Health Organization in Madagascar reports (computer translated).

This has prompted health officials to stage a planned three-phase vaccine response that targets more than 5 million children from 6 months to 9 years of age.

After the first phase of vaccination campaign organized from 14 to 18 January 2019, in which 2,110,633 children were vaccinated, the second phase started on Monday.

Nearly 1,100,000 children from 6 months to 9 years targeted by the second phase of measles response vaccination campaign.

While the current immunization campaign aims to respond to the country’s never-ending measles epidemic for a decade, it is important to remember that routine immunization remains the key strategy to effectively combat measles and all other preventable diseases. Vaccination. Also, a vaccination revitalization plan is being finalized and will be implemented in all regions.