Measles vaccination campaign begins in Malangwa

Kathmandu. A special vaccination campaign has been started in Malangwa municipality of Sarlahi district targeting the areas affected by the outbreak of measles. So far, 3,545 children have been vaccinated against measles-rubella.

The vaccination campaign was carried out in wards 2, 4, 8, 9 and 10 of Malangwa Municipality-3 after 23 children were diagnosed with measles. According to Health Office, Sarlahi, the campaign has been launched targeting children from six months to 15 years.

According to the Health Office, the campaign aims to vaccinate around 8,000 children of six wards. A five-year-old boy from Muslim Tole of Malangwa-3 was sent to Kathmandu for a test on January 10 after he developed symptoms similar to measles. The infection was also found in 22 more children who came in contact with other children who came in contact with measles after testing positive for measles.

According to the municipal health department, all the infected children are in the age group of six months to 11 years. Currently, their health condition is normal. After that, a special vaccination campaign was started in the affected areas as per the directive of the Family Welfare Division, Teku and the decision of the National Immunization Coordination Committee.

According to the Health Office, coordination is underway between the Ministry of Health of Madhes Province, Malangwa municipality, World Health Organization, UNICEF and other bodies to make the campaign effective. Along with vaccination, infection tracing programs, wearing masks, maintaining distance and contacting health institutions immediately if they have symptoms have been urged to do so.

Teams of health workers have been administering vaccines to schools and madrasas with the target of vaccinating all children by January 30. Parents have also been urged to involve children who have been immunized regularly to stay safe in the special campaign.