Mozambique launches vaccination campaign against measles, polio

The National Vaccination Campaign against measles and polio was launched by the Mozambican health authorities on Monday in the northern province of Nampula.

According to local media reports Monday, during this campaign, about nine million Mozambican children aged up to 14 years, about 45 percent of the country's population, will receive vaccines against measles and polio, and will receive a supplement of Vitamin A.

Vaccination against measles will cover all children aged between nine months and 14 years, and all those aged up to five years will be vaccinated against polio. Those aged between six and 59 months will also receive a supplement of vitamin A.

The campaign is being promoted by the Mozambican Health Ministry, in coordination with the United Nations Children's Fund and the World Health Organization.

Data shows that the Mozambican health authorities notified more than 90,000 cases of measles in the country during the last seven years, more than half of which in children aged over 24 months.

Source: Xinhua