RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Health has launched a countrywide vaccination campaign to fight measles and rubella, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Monday.
The campaign, which started on November 3, aims to eliminate these diseases by 2028 as part of the Health Sector Transformation Program goals, under Saudi Vision 2030.
During the campaign children aged 6 months to 18 years would be targeted. The first phase of the campaign will prioritize children aged 6 months to 6 years, administering vaccines at health centres and kindergartens. The second phase will extend vaccination efforts to older children in schools and educational institutions.
According to the website of the Saudi Health Ministry Immunization is the cornerstone of public health and is a way to protect people from infectious diseases.
It says that vaccines are an easy and safe way to protect everyone since they are subject to safety tests before they are approved and their outcomes are continuously monitored.
It says that vaccines eliminate infectious diseases that were once widespread or that can cause severe complications or death. Vaccines not only protect the vaccinated individuals but entire communities as well.
The ministry says any delay in vaccination may put the child at risk of developing the targeted diseases.
