Staff Reporter
Government is carrying out an emergency measles vaccination programme following an outbreak of same in all the country`s ten provinces.
Speaking during the twenty-fifth post-cabinet briefing yesterday in the capital, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said that the Ministry of Health and Child Care had embarked on an intensive measles vaccination programme and had engaged traditional and Faith leaders to support the programme.
“Government has invoked Civil Protection Unit Act to deal with the emergency, and the Ministry of Health and Child Care is on the ground carrying out an intensive vaccination programme. Cabinet has also directed the Ministry of Health and Child Care to engage Traditional and Faith leaders for their support on the vaccination programme,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Minister Mutsvangwa advised that the National Supplementary Vaccination Programme be up-scaled before schools open for the third term of 2022 targeting the 6 to 15 year age group and that resources towards fighting the outbreak be drawn from the National Disaster Fund in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
The first case of measles was first reported in Mutasa District, Manicaland Province on the 10th of August 2022. The disease has now spread to other provinces. As of 15th of August 2022, the cumulative figures from across the country has risen to 2 056 cases and 157 deaths.
