HEALTH AUTHORITIES EMBARK ON MASS MEASLES CAMPAIGN
A measles injection. Photo credit: CNN.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services has launched a mass measles immunization campaign to prevent disease outbreak in flood affected areas of Honiara City Council and Guadalcanal Province.
Permanent Secretary for Health, Dr Lester Ross said measles is a highly contagious viral disease and the Ministry wants parents of high-risk children to have their children immunized against measles.
Meanwhile, Child Health Medical Officer, Dr Divi Ogaoga said measles is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and outbreaks can be particularly deadly.
The vaccination campaign is planned for May to July 2014 to target children most at risk from the disease, and is supported by the World Health Organization and UNICEF
The last measles outbreak in the Solomon Islands occurred in late 1993 to 1994.