BY MICHAEL THEMBO MUHAYIRWA
A four –day measles vaccination exercise that targets 42,000 children aged between six months and 15 years has this morning started in Nyamwamba and Central Divisions of Kasese Municipality.
Mr. Stephen Bagonza, the Acting Kasese District Health Officer says that by last evening, they had trained 60 Health workers to carry out the exercise in all primary schools and identified posts at parish (ward) levels in the two divisions.
According to him, the Ministry of Health decided to carry out a mass vaccination exercise in Kasese after confirming three positive cases out of the samples that were taken to the Central Public Health Laboratory in Kampala.
Bagonza also explained that when they investigated the cases, they discovered that very few children were embracing the immunization services, a reason why the district has witnessed an outbreak of measles.
Today and tomorrow, the exercise will be implemented in all schools before being extended to the identified posts established at parish levels on Saturday and Sunday.
Mr. Bagonza has since implored the parents to encourage their children take up what he has called a booster dose so that they are protected from the being attacked by the infection.
To the teachers, the Acting District Health Officer appeals to them to allocate a special time for learners in every class to get vaccinated.
ENDS