The Nepali government is launching a nationwide immunization campaign from February 25th to March 20th to combat the growing risk of measles and rubella. The campaign targets all children under 15 years of age.
“This campaign will be crucial in protecting our children,” said Ministry of Health and Population spokesperson, Dr. Prakash Budhathoki. “All children from nine months to 15 years of age in 24 districts, including those bordering India and the Kathmandu Valley, will be vaccinated.”
The campaign expands to include children from nine months to five years of age in an additional 51 districts. In the wake of the November 2023 Jajarkot earthquake, Jajarkot and Rukum West districts have already initiated immunization efforts.
Dr. Abhiyan Gautam, Chief of Child Health and Immunization Section, emphasized that the campaign will also administer missed regular vaccines. Health workers across all provinces have received training, and 6.330 million vaccine doses are ready for distribution. The goal is to vaccinate around 5.7 million children.
This initiative aligns with the government’s objective to eliminate measles and rubella entirely by 2026. Last year, outbreaks of these diseases were reported in 19 districts.
