Tanzania records 95pc vaccination coverage

KAGERA: TANZANIA has achieved a 95 per cent success rate in its vaccination campaign, a significant milestone in its efforts to reach Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.

This was said in Kagera Region over the weekend by the Minister for Health, Jenista Mhagama during a two-day visit to the region.

During the visit, she inspected Kahororo Ward, where the government plans to build a modern hospital equipped with a research centre dedicated to monitoring and controlling the outbreak of contagious diseases. “Tanzania has achieved a 95 per cent success rate in its vaccination campaign.

This is a crucial step toward our goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030,” minister Mhagama said.

Kagera Region, which borders four East African nations Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Kenya across Lake Victoria has faced frequent outbreaks of contagious diseases, including Ebola, Marburg, Covid-19 pandemic and cholera, resulting in the loss of lives.

The region has several entry points, including Murusagamba, Kabanga and Rusumo in Ngara District; Murongo and Kaisho in Karagwe; Mutukula, Kanyigo, Kashenye and Kyaka in Missenyi; and Bugabo and Rubafu in Bukoba District. Kagera’s Regional Medical Officer (RMO), Dr Samwel Laizer, provided an update on recent cholera cases, stating that four people died from cholera on November 29, last year, in Bugorora Ward, Buchurago village, Missenyi District.

18 others were admitted to various health facilities. “Surveillance teams, consisting of health professionals, have been conducting educational sessions in Missenyi District, where cholera was first reported.

Strengthening the capabilities of health workers at all levels in surveillance and epidemiology response is crucial,” Dr Laizer said.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised concerns about the resurgence of measles, as cases surpassed 10 million globally in 2023.

A recent study revealed that approximately 10.3 million people contracted measles worldwide in 2023, marking a 20 per cent increase compared to 2022.

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Measles remains one of the most contagious diseases, and at least 95 per cent vaccination coverage with two doses of the measles/rubella vaccine is necessary to prevent outbreaks.

The rise in measles cases is attributed to a decline in vaccination coverage, according to the study published by the WHO and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “The number of measles infections is rising globally, putting lives and health at risk.

The measles vaccine remains our best defence against the virus and we must continue to invest in efforts to expand access to vaccination,” said CDC Director Mandy Cohen. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted that the measles vaccine has saved more lives than any other vaccine over the past 50 years.

“To save even more lives and prevent this deadly virus from affecting the most vulnerable, we must ensure immunisation for every person, no matter where they live,” he added.