IMC Teams Immunize Children of Kabul Against Measles

One of the first activities planned by the IMC in Kabul, the immunization against this extremely communicable disease initially targets 850,000 children. After initiating the campaign in Kabul, the Ministry of Public Health, UNICEF and the World Health Organization plan to reach 1.2 million children throughout the Kabul region, many in areas more difficult to access.

As a part of the intensive campaign involving 200 teams of 5 people each, IMC is represented by 22 health workers. The team includes 11 female staff members, Community Health Support, Trainers and EPI staff. IMC is prepared to lead up to 22 teams, with Master Trainer, Dr. Rokhshana, a female doctor, contributing her extensive experience as a trainer. IMC will also provide 5 vehicles for these teams and one vehicle for supplies of cold chain and vaccines.

Extremely contagious, measles is a leading cause of childhood deaths that killed over three-quarters of a million children worldwide in 2000, according to UNICEF figures. Due to conditions of extreme poverty, cold, prolonged malnutrition and overcrowding, children Afghan children are at high risk for this vaccine-preventable disease.

A common problem associated with measles in malnourished children is keratitis, inflammation of the cornea, which can result in blindness especially in those with vitamin A deficiency. According to the WHO, mothers are very enthusiastic and committed to immunize their children again this preventable disease, which, of all vaccine-preventable diseases is the largest killer of children of all, says UNICEF.