As of 20 July 2020, the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) manager in Ethiopia stated that 80% of the target population had been vaccinated.
(Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance) – Governments have had to act fast to not only protect their people against COVID-19 but also to ensure protective measures like vaccination against other infectious diseases could continue.
In Ethiopia, a measles vaccination campaign was launched on 30 June in response to the ongoing measles outbreak. The campaign faced security challenges in 4 regions: Addis Ababa, Oromia, Dire Dawa and Harari, following the assassination of popular singer, Hachalu Hundessa. However, the security situation has stabilized and the campaign is almost completed. According to the Director of Maternal and Child Health, Dr. Meseret Zelalem, more than 5 million children aged 9–59 months had been vaccinated in the first week of the vaccination campaign, and 15 million children between the ages of 9 months and 5 years will benefit from the measles vaccination campaign. [As of 20 July 2020], the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) manager stated that 80% of the target population had been vaccinated. This is significant progress as the Measles and Rubella Initiative projects that there are 178 million people at risk of missing measles shots in 2020.
In a recent press release, Minister of Health, Dr. Lia Tadesse, acknowledged that the vaccination campaign is critical at this time, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. She urged religious leaders, tribal leaders, local elders, governmental and non-governmental organizations, and the community to continue the partnership for the vaccination campaign. While encouraging parents to bring children to vaccination centers and follow protective measures including wearing a mask, washing hands with soap and water or a sanitizer, and maintaining physical distance.
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