TheCable

The World Health Organisation has started a campaign to vaccinate 4.7 million children against a measles outbreak in three north eastern states: Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

The vaccination campaign, which is expected to last for two weeks, began on Friday.

“This measles vaccination campaign is an emergency intervention to protect more than 4 million children against a highly contagious and sometimes deadly disease,” said Wondimagegnehu Alemu, a doctor and WHO Representative in Nigeria.

“Massive disruption to health services in conflict-affected areas for many years has deprived these children of essential childhood vaccinations. In addition, many of them have severe malnutrition, making them extremely vulnerable to serious complications and death from measles.”

A publication on the WHO website reports that the organisation established Early Warning, Alert and Response System (EWARS), which reported more than 1500 suspected measles cases in Borno state from early September to 18 December 2016.

More than 77% of children aged less than 5 years in Borno state have never received the measles vaccine and this is the age group where most cases have occurred.

The Borno state ministry of health, with support from WHO and partners, has already vaccinated more than 83 000 children aged 6 months to 15 years living in camps for IDPs where measles cases had been reported.

These campaigns have started to show results, with a reduction of measles cases around the camps.