Malawi has launched a vaccination campaign for Measles-Rubella (MR), Typhoid vaccine, Polio vaccine and vitamin A supplementation for children between six months and five years that will run for seven days, from 15th to 21st May, 2023.
Speaking in Balaka during the launch on Thursday, Secretary for Health Dr Samson Mndolo said the launch of the campaign shows government’s committment in making sure that infants, toddlers and of course children in general are protected from life threatening and disability causing illnesses.
“There are also vaccines which prevent development of cancer at a later stage in life. For example, young boys and girls risk Human Papilloma Virus disease due to early sexual debut and these risk them future cancers like cervical cancer. It is important that we work together to address these gaps and avoid catastrophic diseases like these. We must safeguard our health no matter the circumstances.
“Take note that, children are supposed to be vaccinated against different diseases and not just once but even several times in their life time. Diseases like Measles, Polio, Typhoid and diseases caused by Vitamin A deficiency are among diseases that are disabling and life-threatening. Imagine a situation where we are not doing anything to prevent these disease – the end result would be health facilities full of patients. As we all know prevention is better that cure,” he said
He called upon Chiefs, Parents and Guardians, Health Workers, Teachers, Political Leaders, Church Leaders, Children in school and out of school to ensure that this campaign is a success.
Mndolo said the vaccinations will be delivered in all our facilities both CHAM and Government, Outreach sites, door to door and where possible in some schools.
“In the same vein we shall continue to provide these vaccines in our facilities routinely after the campaign,” he said
WHO Representative Dr Neema Kimambo said the exercise is important because it is critical for the country to bridge the gaps in the immunization coverage experienced since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Measles remains a threat in our region with outbreaks reported in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania and South Africa. In our country 11 measles cases were reported in 2022. And this year, we have already detected about 28 cases.
“Two weeks ago, we joined Malawi and the rest of the world to commemorate the World Immunisation Week under the theme’ The Big Catch- up”. The theme highlighted the need for countries to work tirelessly to reach all under immunized, zero-dosed, and underserved populations with lifesaving vaccines.
“This campaign is important because Malawi is introducing a new vaccine to protect against typhoid. Over the years, Malawi has been endemic for Typhoid Fever with significant morbidity and mortality occurring in children under 15 years,” he said
Typhoid accounts between 128 000 and 161 000 deaths annually across the globe and disproportionately affects Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa while in Malawi reported about 32 747 cases and 435 deaths.
Of these cases, 61 percent of cases and 65 percent of deaths from typhoid occurs in children less than 15 years of age. Also, the country reports about 120 cases of intestinal perforations from typhoid.
He said WHO will continue to support the ministry to ensure that every eligible child is vaccinated.
UNICEF Country Representative Gianofranco Rotigliano urged all stakeholders to work extra hard to make sure that all the children are vaccinated.
The ministry of health is implementing the campaign with support from GAVI the Vaccine Alliance and technical support from other partners like UNICEF, WHO and PATH.
