Measles Initiative

July 8-14, 2006 (Phase II)
Children vaccinated: 4,590,225
Other health interventions: vitamin A, polio, and Insecticide treated nets (malaria prevention)

April 29-May 5, 2006 (Emergency Phase)
Targeted vaccinations: 5,106,876 (under five years old)
Deaths averted per year:
Other health interventions: Long lasting insecticide treated nets (malaria prevention), polio vaccine, and vitamin A

"Disease of the Wind" Documentary Chronicles Measles Campaign in Kenya with Jane Seymour, eight LA students

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News Release — August 14, 2002
Measles Vaccination Campaign Immunizes More Than 13 Million Children in Kenya, Saving 18,000 Lives in One Week

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Kenya Red Cross Volunteers use Hand-held Computers to Conduct Health Survey During Kenya Measles Campaign

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News Release — June 14, 2002
Measles Initiative To Vaccinate 14 Million Children in Kenya During One-Week Campaign.

Largest Mass Measles Vaccination Campaign yet slated for Kenya, June 2002

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Like most countries in Africa, measles is one of the leading causes of death in Kenya for children under five years old. Inadequate health facilities, poor health and living conditions are contributing factors that make measles a childhood killer. Research also shows that due to the contagious nature of measles, women in Kenya accept it as part of a child's growth process. Children are not brought to immunizations because people believe measles is a milestone, a rite of passage in a child's life-your child should have measles, because afterwards all will be well.

In an effort to combat preventable deaths from measles, the Measles Initiative will have its largest mass measles vaccination campaign yet, in Kenya, June 2002. The goal is to vaccinate nearly 14 million children (40% of the entire country's population) saving 9,799 lives.

"The upcoming June vaccination campaign is the most important public health event in the history of Kenya in terms of the scope and the impact on children's health," said Dr. Mark Grabowsky, technical advisor at the American Red Cross. The Initiative aims to provide measles vaccinations throughout the entire country, vaccinating all at-risk children between the ages of six months and fifteen years.

Specifically for the Kenya campaign, the Initiative is also incorporating other preventative health measures to combat other diseases endemic to the region. In 11 districts on the Ethiopia and Somalia borders (polio-endemic countries), the polio vaccine will also be given in these at-risk areas. In four districts, tetanus toxoid will also be given to mothers to prevent infants from getting neonatal tetanus at birth - an enormous problem when there are unclean deliveries.
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