The exercise targets 341,446 children aged 9-59 months old across the country. In addition, children aged 6-59 months were supplemented with vitamin A and de-worming tablets.
Speaking to reporters, Fabakary Bass, national field coordinator, NaNA, underscored the importance of the exercise, saying research has shown that in a population where people have enough vitamin A in their system, child mortality is significantly reduced by 25 to 35 percent.
He thus called on parents, caregivers and guardians to make best use of the exercise by taking their children to designated vaccination centres.
Also speaking, Isatou Jallow, a native of Kolli Kunda in Niamina West District, CRR South, whose child was vaccinated, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health and all stakeholders behind the exercise for their stance to ensure that all children in the country live a safer and healthier life.
Jai John, a community health nurse at Dankunku Health Center, explained that the campaign would also accord those children, who previously were not vaccinated against the virus, to get the chance to do so.
Lamin Sawo, regional public health officer based at Bansang Hospital, assured parents and caregivers that the vaccines being administered are safe and effective, and thus appealed to parents to come out in numbers and ensure their children take the vaccine to eradicate measles- rubella in the country.
