Zero measles-rubella campaign: 2.2 million children to be protected

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Extract from the article: Le gouvernement lance du 24 au 30 novembre une campagne nationale de vaccination contre la rougeole et la rubéole, couplée à la supplémentation en vitamine A et au déparasitage. Elle vise 2 271 000 enfants âgés de 6 mois à 9 ans sur toute l’étendue d

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    The government is launching a national vaccination campaign against measles and rubella from 24 to 30 November, coupled with vitamin A supplementation and deworming. It targets 2,271,000 children aged from 6 months to 9 years throughout the territory. In addition, children from 0 to 5 months late for routine vaccination will also be caught up. The vaccination sites are health facilities, schools and mobile stations located more than 15 km away for children not in school.

    The initiative was announced during a press conference organized on Thursday, November 20 in Lomé by the ministry in charge of Health and Public Hygiene in the presence of partners.
    The health situation remains worrying despite the progress made in recent years. Between 2023 and 2025, several districts were affected by measles outbreaks, with more than half of the cases in children under five years old, often unvaccinated. For the year 2025 alone, 1,206 suspected cases were reported, of which 511 confirmed for measles and 12 for rubella. These statistics reveal the existence of pockets of unprotected children, mainly in areas where immunization coverage remains low.

  Faced with the issue, health authorities call for everyone’s mobilization. Vaccination is free, safe, and saves lives. No child should be left at home. The administered products, vaccines, vitamin A and albendazole are safe, effective and completely free. This integrated campaign constitutes a major public health operation for our country, Togo. It marks a new step towards the vision of zero measles, zero rubella by 2030 and contributes to strengthening the health, nutrition and immunity of our children. Thanks to the efforts of the Government and its partners, Togo has succeeded in reducing cases and deaths related to these diseases by more than 90% since 2001. It is essential to strengthen information among the public so that mobilization is on track. The media are invited to relay useful information. Parents, guardians and communities are encouraged to vaccinate all affected children.

    Measles is a highly contagious acute disease caused by a virus. It is transmitted through direct contact with infected secretions. Rubella is an acute disease generally benign in children and adults, it is transmitted by respiratory droplets.

Esther KOLANI