Gambia is bracing up against the outbreak of measles as the ministry of health announced a  national vaccination campaign against the disease.

The country had won against the disease in 2021 after its launched a countrywide vaccination.

However, speaking at a handing over ceremony, Dr Ahmadou Samateh, minister of health said the disease is making a comeback. 

“At present we are experiencing small outbreak of measles in some communities. I’m happy to inform this gathering that the country is gearing up for a re-vaccination for measles and novela to improve the coverage of the last round of the MR vaccination.”

“The Gambia has been globally recognise to persistently achieved  and maintained high routine immunisation coverage through a vibrant immunisation programme service. 

“It is also in the forefront in the introduction of new and under use WHO pre-qualified life-saving vaccines into it’s national immunisation schedule. 

“This together with the traditional EPI antigen are protecting children of The Gambia from 13 preventable diseases.”

“As a resource poor country, recovery from damages and destruction of post Covid-19 meted on our immunisation programme and overall healthcare delivery service attempts to reversing the backsliding national immunisation programme coverage within a short time single-handedly handled by our government what would have been very difficult,” he added.

Reporting by Adama Makasuba