By: Yunus S. Saliu
In its national effort to strengthen child health and prevent outbreaks of measles and rubella, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and partners, WHO, UNICEF, and others, on Tuesday held a press briefing to create awareness of the commencement of the national measles-rubella (MR) vaccination campaign, which will kick off on 23rd October 2025 and end by 28th October 2025, across the nation.
The campaign formed part of the Ministry’s national effort to strengthen child health and prevent outbreaks of measles and rubella. These two highly contagious but preventable diseases continue to threaten the lives of children.
In his briefing, Dr. Saharu Kanteh, Senior Program Officer for Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), expanded on the burden and current situation of the disease. He stated that globally, measles remains one of the leading causes of vaccine-preventable deaths among children, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine.
In 2023 alone, over 9 million cases and 136,000 deaths were reported worldwide, mostly among unvaccinated children.
“Rubella, though usually mild, can cause serious birth defects known as congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) when infection occurs during pregnancy,” he explained.
Dr. Kanteh explained further that in The Gambia, while routine immunization coverage has remained high, the country has experienced two episodes of measles outbreaks in 2025, the first in April and the second in July, both in the Western 1 Region. “A total of nine confirmed cases were recorded, but no deaths were reported.”
However, he added, the national risk assessment indicates that if urgent action is not taken, these sporadic cases could escalate into a nationwide outbreak with dire consequences. “For this reason, the Ministry of Health, with support from WHO, UNICEF, NaNA, and other partners like MoBSE, is organizing this national MR campaign to boost immunity among our children and prevent future outbreaks.”
The target of the campaign, he said all children aged 9 to 59 months for measles-rubella vaccination, children aged 6 to 59 months for vitamin A supplementation, children aged 12 to 59 months for deworming tablets (mebendazole), and children aged 0 to 59 months for selected routine vaccines they may have missed during their regular immunization schedule, at schools and daycare centers, village bantabas and community centers, and markets and health facilities including ferry terminals and border crossing points.
He also highlighted signs and symptoms of measles and rubella, as well as the benefits of vitamin A and deworming. He encouraged all children aged 0 to 5 years to visit the nearest vaccination post between October 23 and 28, 2025.
Ba Sidat Fofana, EPI Manager, and Dr. Oumie Jagne of WHO, among others, made remarkable speeches at the presser. The press briefing was marked with questions and answers.
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By: Yunus S. Saliu In its national effort to strengthen child health and prevent outbreaks of measles and rubella, the…
The post MoH To Commence National Measles-Rubella Vaccination Campaign appeared first on .
