EES launches measles campaign targeting over 378,000 children

By Correspondent

The government of Eastern Equatoria State is targeting to immunize 378,546 children aged 6 to 59 months.

launched a follow-up measles vaccination campaign Monday, aiming to immunize 378,546 children aged 6 to 59 months.

The campaign, which was launched on Monday, is set to take a week- and will not follow the usual house-to-house approach but will instead operate through designated health centers, the State Ministry of Health said.

According to Dr. Amin Gordiano, the state’s acting health director general, the vaccine does not have any side effects, and that parents should bring their children to immunization centers and to report any suspected measles cases to prevent outbreaks.

The campaign is a joint effort between the National Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and other health partners.

Lelang Caesar Tobiolo, Torit County project coordinator for Health Link, called the initiative a “life-saving mission,” noting that measles remains a leading cause of child mortality despite the availability of effective vaccines, particularly in areas with limited health care access.

UNICEF health project coordinator Peter Simon Osuru said the agency would ensure safe storage of all vaccination materials.

Acting State Health Minister Margret Idwa Okuye assured that security measures were in place to reach every child, adding that Eastern Equatoria is safe for health services to operate at the grassroots level.