The Ministry of Health (MOH) continues implementation of the national vaccination campaign against measles and rubella launched recently under the theme «#لنوقف_الحصبة», which means "Let us Prevent Measles". The campaign, which will last until April 30, aims to immunize children aged 6 months to 5 years with a booster dose and to reduce the rate of those prone to infection. MOH provides the vaccine free of charge to all citizens and residents at all its healthcare centers. By Allah Grace, the vaccine is the only way to prevent the disease.
According to MOH, the national vaccination campaign against measles comes in line with WHO strategic plan recommended to achieve measles elimination by 2020 in all member countries who are signatories of the plan.
The national campaigns are implemented every 3-4 years for a target group on the epidemic curve of the disease during the three years preceding the national campaign. The target group, more than 50% of all cases in different age group, was identified according to the statistics conducted between 2016 and 2018. The campaign seeks to reach 95% of the targeted children to reduce infections and outbreaks.
It is noted that the virus lives in the nose and throat of an infected person and can spread to others through coughing and sneezing. Also, the germ-laden droplets can stay on surfaces and the virus remains active (infectious) for up to two hours, therefore a healthy person can be infected through touching the infected surfaces and then touching his mouth or nose or eye. The virus also can be spread to others form incubation until the fourth day of the onset of rash.
Measles is a highly infectious illness affecting all age groups mostly children, and it may cause severe complications. It is also called "morbilli". On the other hand, rubella (German measles) is a severe viral infection and its symptoms include skin rash and swollen lymph nodes, which range from 3-5 days.