CHONGWE SWITCHES TO MEASLES RUBELLA

By JOHN KOMBE

THE Chongwe district health office has switched to the meaVACCINEsles

rubella vaccine from the traditional measles vaccine to enhance the effectiveness of vaccination.

Measles is a disease that is common among infants in developing countries and Zambia is not an exception. This is why the Chongwe district health office has switched to the Measles Rubella vaccine. The vaccine will be switched from the usual measles vaccine to incorporate the Rubella measles which is sometimes referred to as German measles. The basic symptoms of the disease include: a rash which spreads from the face to the hands and lasts for up to three days, fever and Lymphadenopathy (swelling or enlarging of the lymph nodes). However, these symptoms may not be evident in some.

The district health nursing officer, Ms. Violet Mwanza said the district had 34 government and four private health facilities.

The vaccination exercise is being conducted in all these health facilities to reach the targeted number of children in the district. She said this would enhance positive outcomes.

“The community has been sensitised and we are now implementing the routine vaccine. This will include children under the age 9 months to 5 years old and all those who are not in this age bracket, but have not been vaccinated are welcome to receive the vaccine” Ms Mwanza said. She encouraged all parents and guardians in the community to take advantage of this routine exercise and refrain from any negative perceptions saying the vaccine was safe, necessary and easy to administer.

“The community including, all stakeholders, must support this programme as this will protect them against the disease” Ms Mwanza said.