Measles immunization campaign to hold 21-25 Nov

The 2015 measles immunisation campaign across all the six area councils of the FCT will run from the 21st to the 25th of this month.
Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, the Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Health Care Development Board (FCTPHCDB), Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, also revealed that the follow up campaign against measles is expected to hold across all the 19 Northern states.
He said the symptoms of measles include fever, conjunctivitis, running nose, cough and rashes. He disclosed that already, 10 children died last week in the internally displaced persons camp in Wasa with another critically ill.
Represented by a deputy director in the board, Mrs. Nana Yusuf, he said: “The children to be targeted during this year’s campaign are from 9 months to 59 months. It is very important because the last follow up was done in 2013 with only 65% target achievement.
“Parents should take their children to the various fixed posts in all our community health centres in order to avoid further outbreak of measles, a highly contagious disease which can be prevented with a vaccine which is free.
“We want the media to also help us create more awareness on this campaign for the benefit of the masses because measles is a viral infection which spreads fast and is responsible for the death of thousands of Nigerian children every year.”