Massive measles, rubella vaccination campaign kicks-off

The campaign is targeting hundreds of thousands of children
The campaign is targeting hundreds of thousands of children

An increase in rubella cases has prompted the Ministry of Health to launch a combined Measles Rubella (MR) vaccine campaign targeting over 700,000 children aged between nine months and 14 years. The national campaign was launched in Gaborone yesterday.

Rubella infections generally cause relatively mild diseases in children, but in adolescents and adults, may affect joints and the brain, health experts say. Rubella infection in pregnant women can cause foetal deaths or congenital defects, with over 100,000 babies born with this condition annually worldwide. Measles, on the other hand, is one of the leading causes of death among young children even though a safe and cost-effective vaccine is available.

In Botswana, between 2011 and 2015, 935 cases of rubella were recorded with 502 cases occurring in 2014 alone, a World Health Organisation (WHO) representative said.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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