Myths, folktales and anti-vaccine sentiment about measles

Anukur believes, "Spreading the word about measles vaccinations through social mobilization is crucial to the success of measles campaigns because many families believe in myths about measles. Some mothers believe that the 'spots' children show with measles means that the disease is physically exiting the body so the child is getting better and does not need medical attention. In fact, this is the time when complications from the disease are most likely. Another local belief is that when a child gets measles, a dead Ugandan princess is visiting the family and the disease is an effect of that visit. Since the royal family has supreme power a mere vaccination cannot possible be effective against it. Some families also believe that certain fish or plants cooked a certain way can cure the child. Others believe that it is God's will as to whether the child gets measles so there is nothing that people can do to prevent it.

Social mobilization was particularly crucial to the success of the campaign in Mbarara district. A local anti-government radio station was advising parents against immunization, saying the vaccine would kill their children, not save them. Red Cross activated more volunteers to do social mobilization to allay the fear that had reached parents. The result of their aggressive approach to combating misinformation led to over 155,000 children being immunized, reaching 86% coverage. This is the highest level of coverage achieved for any health intervention since the radio station began broadcasting and is high enough to effectively control measles.

Volunteers make every effort to reach each child
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Social mobilization in Uganda through plays, music
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Hear the lyrics to one of the many 'measles songs'
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