A massive public health campaign in Tanzania is tackling the leading cause of deafness and blindness in poorer countries

The symptoms of rubella can seem almost benign: mild, flu-like discomfort and a rash. But it can cause children to be born deaf and blind if their mothers catch the disease during pregnancy. And if the Ebola outbreak has taught the world anything it is perhaps that ignoring basic healthcare – in terms of programmes and facilities – can have devastating consequences.

That is why a campaign to vaccinate 21 million children against measles and rubella in Tanzania is so important. It is part of one of the largest public health interventions in the east African country. As well as immunising against rubella and measles, health workers are distributing vitamin A supplements and deworming tablets, and treating children and adults for neglected tropical diseases, such as elephantiasis.

But tackling rubella is central to the campaign, given the impact of the disease. When a woman is infected with the virus early in pregnancy, she has a 90% chance of passing it on to her unborn child. This can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or severe birth defects known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), which can result in deafness, blindness and heart problems.

CRS is the main cause of deafblindness in poorer countries. About 100,000 children are born with CRS each year in the developing world. Yet it is easily preventable: rubella has effectively been eradicated in many countries, including the UK, since the introduction of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine in the 1980s.

The number of countries introducing the rubella vaccine is increasing. In July, India began to deliver the vaccine as part of a plan to immunise 27 million children annually. “India is committed to tackling child mortality and providing health for all. Strengthening routine immunisation is an essential investment in India’s children and will ensure a healthy future of the country,” the prime minister, Narendra Modi, said.

However, only 130 of the world’s 193 countries deliver the rubella vaccine as a routine (pdf) part of national immunisation programmes. The UN estimates that this covers only 42% of children.

With the new vaccination campaign– run by the government, Unicef, the World Health Organisation, vaccination NGO Gavi and other partners – Tanzania will become the second country in sub-Saharan Africa, after Rwanda, to introduce a dual vaccine to protect children against measles and rubella.

The campaign is targeting children aged nine months to 15 years in Africa’s sixth most populated country. More than 12,000 schools and 6,600 health facilities are involved, making it a huge logistical challenge. Thousands of healthcare professionals, volunteers and NGOs are helping.

One of the key challenges is to reach rural communities and make sure parents understand the dangers of rubella. Raising awareness with the relevant government ministries is key as they provide part of the funding for the vaccine. Public awareness of deafblindness and CRS is also important. Parents of deafblind children can play a vital role by illustrating the impacts of CRS first hand. Sense International supports deafblind children and their families in east Africa and the majority of these families have been affected by CRS.

Take the case of Chausika, aged seven, who was born with CRS. She is deaf and blind and needs round-the-clock care from her mother, who has six other children. As a result, her mother is no longer able to work. This is a direct result of Chausika’s mother not being vaccinated.

In Tanzania, the dual vaccine is being delivered as part of the WHO’s implementation of the global measles and rubella strategic plan 2012-20.

In Kenya and Uganda, the rubella vaccination has not yet been adopted as part of national immunisation plans. Part of the issue is proving how harmful the virus is. Sense International is talking to the Kenyan health ministry and the WHO about a three-year programme to identify the extent and impact of rubella, including numbers of children affected and the prevalence of the disease. This is an essential precursor to the introduction of a joint measles and rubella vaccination programme.

The vaccination campaign in Tanzania will have a huge impact on the incidence of rubella in the region. By providing funding, the country’s government has shown a real commitment to eradicating the disease, especially with the decision to add the vaccine to the national immunisation programme later this year. Vaccination is the only way to tackle viruses like rubella. This programme marks a huge step forward in tackling the disease but we need to go further.

Until the rubella vaccine is integrated into all national immunisation campaigns so that we can reach every child, the dangers of rubella will remain high for pregnant women and their unborn children.

• James Thornberry is the director of the global deafblind charity Sense International