Hello dear Parents,
I am the combined vaccine against measles and rubella, two highly contagious diseases caused by viruses. They can lead to serious complications and even death. Rubella can cause severe birth defects in the fetus if the mother is infected during pregnancy.
These diseases are transmitted from person to person through contact with respiratory secretions (such as saliva or mucus) of an infected person. A person can be infected without knowing it because there are not always specific signs, which makes the spread of these diseases easier.
I am a safe and effective vaccine that has been tested and approved by medical experts. I am made up of weakened viruses that cannot cause the disease, but can help strengthen your child’s specific defenses against measles and rubella each time I am administered. In Cameroon, I am freely given in two doses to children aged 9 to 23 months, and if a child missed me at that age, they can catch up between 24 and 59 months.
Like any medication, I may be associated with adverse events, but they are generally minor and temporary, and the risks associated with these diseases are much higher than the risks associated with vaccination using me.
By having your children vaccinated with me, you can be assured that they will be protected against measles and rubella, and you will also help protect pregnant women in your community and their babies. Feel free to talk to your doctor to learn more about me and to plan the vaccination of your little ones, even after this campaign.
Photo credit: EPI-Cameroon
