A national anti-measles vaccination campaign starts today, November 27, with President Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh to preside over the launching at the July 22nd Square in Banjul, a press release from the Department of State for Health and Social Welfare has confirmed.

A nationwide target of 246,150 children is expected to be vaccinated during the week-long campaign. According to the state department, the campaign seeks to not only reduce measles related deaths but propel the country to a measles-free status.

Below is the full text of the press release:

“In an effort to reduce measles morbidity and mortality and to attain measles elimination status in The Gambia, the Department of State for Health and Social Welfare, in collaboration with partners (UNICEF, WHO, and NaNA) is organising a mass measles vaccination campaign nationwide for children between the ages of nine months and five years. The campaign is starting from November 27th to December 3rd 2007.

There will also be Vitamin A supplementation and de-worming incorporated in the campaign. The campaign is expected to immunise two hundred and forty-six thousand, one hundred and fifty (246,150) children. In order to reach this target number of children, the department of state for Health and Social Welfare is soliciting support from all divisions, district and school authorities, parents and guardians, Alkalolu and community members to bring in their children to the immunisation sites.

The campaign is scheduled in such a way that teams will be stationed in all health facilities, Bantabas and border posts.  There will also be outreach and mobile teams moving from place to place. Parents need to take their children to the immunisation sites for their children to be immunised.

The programme is going to be launched on the 27th of November 2007 at the 22nd July Square by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of The Gambia. The Department of State for Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with partners (UNICEF, WHO, NaNA) therefore solicits the support and cooperation of everyone in order to immunise all children (irrespective of nationality).

This will help The Gambia attain measles free status”.