RSPHCMB releases schedule for Integrated Measles Campaign

The Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, RSPHCMB, says it will kickstart an integrated Measles Campaign across communities in the 23 Local Government Area of the State in a bid to protect Rivers people from the devastating consequences suffered by those who were infected without any prior vaccination.

At a Media Coordination Meeting at the RSPHCMB complex along Olu obasanjo Road, on Wednesday September 14, ahead of the Integrated Measles Campaign slated to hold between October 6th – 19th, 2022, it was disclosed that Measles is an extremely contagious viral/respiratory illness, a sand like rash that starts from the face and spreads to other parts of the body, which can be prevented by vaccines.

It was stated that some symptoms of measles include: high fever, cough, catarrh, red eyes, sand like rash. According to the health workers, one of the reasons why the RSPHCMB is fighting against measles is the aftermath or consequences of suffering from measles without being vaccinated. Severe consequences were listed as pneumonia, blindness, deafness, eye/ear infection, diarrhea etc.

Africa Update gathered that the campaign is scheduled to occur in two phases with health workers moving from house to house, churches/mosques, and schools. The first phase of the Measles Campaign is to run from 6th – 11th of October 2022 in 11 Local Government Areas namely: Eleme, Emohua, Etche, Gokana, Ikwerre, Khana, Obia/Akpor, Omuma, Oyigbo, Port Harcourt and Tai.

While the second phase will hold between 14th – 19th of October 2022 in 12 Local Government Areas namely: Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru, Bonny, Degema, Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Opobo/Nkoro, Ogu/Bolo and Okrika.

It was further disclosed that the Measles vaccines are absolutely free and would be given to children between the ages of 9months – 5years. As part of the campaign Supplementary Immunization Activities with full complement of RI (Routine Immunization) vaccines for ages 0months – 23months and 9months – 5years and Covid19 vaccines for 18years and above will be carried out.