07 Nov 2013

Religious and cultural beliefs should not be used as an excuse not to vaccinate children. Ngamiland District Health Management public health specialist, Dr Christopher Chembe said this at a media launch of the measles, vitamin A and deworming campaign in Maun on November 5.

Dr Chembe said the campaign was for everyone regardless of their religious affiliation. The campaign is targeting children aged 11 to 59 months. “Parents of children need to come forward to vaccinate their children for measles because if they do not, they will pose a risk not only to themselves but to other children as well,” he said.

Dr Chembe said the measles vaccination also applied to children who had been vaccinated as recently as four months ago. “Irrespective of whether your child has been vaccinated before, he/she still can get this vaccination and it will not affect them negatively whatsoever,” he said.

He said while the measles vaccination campaign was running from November 4 - 8 and that for vitamin A and de-worming medication would continue even afterwards. Dr Chembe further said parents should take the message seriously owing to the contagious nature of measles. He said the measles side effects ranged from blindnes and brain damage to severe pneumonia.

“Measles can be prevented and it is as easy as taking your child for vaccination,” said Dr Chembe. He noted that even though vaccination was done, there were those that remained susceptible to measles. “In 2009 we had an outbreak of measles and some of the children that had measles had been vaccinated before,” he said.

He indicated that this campaign was aimed at children who missed previous vaccinations and the susceptible group of children. “People need to note that even after vaccination, they still need to exercise caution regarding their children’s health status,” he said.

He said the de-worming and vitamin A exercise was aimed at boosting the immune system of children. DHMT and The greater Maun Lions Club were collaborating in the campaign. Dr Chembe said the partnership between the two bodies would go a long way in making sure that public interaction was achieved.

“The partnership will also create awareness amongst people that are affiliated and assisted by the club,” he said. For her part, Ms Francis Palmer, secretary of greater Maun Lions club said their role in the campaign was to raise awareness and motivate as many parents as possible to bring their children for vaccination as well as to receive vitamin A and de-worming vaccination.

“The one shot one life measles campaign has provided Botswana’s lions club members with a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the “we serve” mandate of Lions club international,” she said.

She indicated that every Lions Club member in Maun was provided with a personal challenge to assist in the social mobilisation. Ms Palmer further said in 2010, there was a joint measles initiative with Lions club international foundation where during 2010/2011, 41million children were vaccinated.

She said during 2011/2012, 157 million children were vaccinated worldwide. Amanda Manenji, Prayers Hamandishe and Thato Phutego from Okavango International School were also awarded prizes at the press briefing for attaining first to third positions respectively for the measles campaign school poster competition. ENDS