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Walter Nyamukondiwa Chinhoyi Bureau
GOVERNMENT will roll out a massive rubella measles vaccination programme at the end of this month targeting five million children aged between nine and 15. The roll out of the new combined rubella and measles vaccine, known as the MMR vaccine, would be administered concurrently with Vitamin A supplements for six month old children.

The supplements would be administered on a six-month interval thereafter until children reach five years. Studies have revealed the growing threat of rubella measles among children with sporadic outbreaks recorded in recent years.

The programme runs from September 28 to October 2 at all health centres in the country. In Mashonaland West 680 509 children would be vaccinated. Ministry of Health and Child Care Mashonaland West health education and communication officer Mr George Kambondo told a Rubella Measles vaccine advocacy meeting in Chinhoyi on Friday that measures were being put in place to ensure every child was vaccinated.

“We are going to be rolling out the new Measles Rubella vaccine and this (meeting) is part of preparations where as a province we have to meet our target of 680 509 children while the national target is five million children,” said Mr Kambondo.

Mashonaland West province recorded 180 cases of rubella which is also known as German Measles in 2014 with outbreaks mostly at Sandringham Primary School in July of the same year.

At least 10 cases of rubella have so far been reported in Mashonaland West province. He said special arrangements were being made for communities that usually resist national vaccination programmes like some apostolic sects.

“We have communities that we would like to call objectors, who resist such programmes, but we realise after engagement they are willing to come on board after giving their conditions and fears,” he said.

Acting provincial medical director Dr Gift Masoja said the province was ready to roll out the programme. “We cannot force objectors such as some apostolic sects, but we can only educate them about the dangers of not vaccinating their children,” said Dr Masoja.

Health and Child Care Epidemiology and Disease Control director in the Ministry of Health Care, Dr Portia Manangazira, confirmed the development but could not give further details. “The minister (Dr David Parirenyatwa) will have to address all the issues and I understand he is going to issue a statement on that tomorrow I do not want to pre-empty what he will talk about,” she said.