Measle mass vaccination in Opuwo

By Levi Upula

Government is to start a mass vaccination campaign against measles in Opuwo District following the outbreak of measles four months ago. The mass vaccination targets the entire population in Opuwo District.

Health and Social Services Minister Dr Richard Nchabi Kamwi accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Defence, Victor Simunja, flew to Opuwo on Tuesday to announce the campaign.

Opuwo District has been hit by measles epidemic for the last past four months. So far, 15 people have died and the disease is spreading. The Minister said that only a mass vaccination could reverse this trend. Everybody has to be vaccinated except babies who are six months old and younger, as well as pregnant women.

“This mass vaccination is required because we have come to realize that people in Opuwo have little or no protection against measles,” said Minister Kamwi. “The reason for this is because for many years, many parents have not been taking their children for vaccination and therefore, they have not developed protection against the disease.”

The mass vaccination starts next week Tuesday and will last until February 15th. A strong technical team from Windhoek arrived in Opuwo on Wednesday. The team will remain in Opuwo until the vaccination campaign is over.

The Minister appealed to all community and government leaders, pastors and teachers to mobilize parents and guardians to ensure that people are convinced about the importance of the vaccination.

“Please, help the nation,” said the Minister. “Go out in hotspots and discover the challenges faced by the communities. When senior officials from the Headquarters come for familiarization, take them to hot spots and report cases for the information of the Minister.”