Ouagadougou: Administrative, customary and religious authorities, along with presidents of special delegations, civil society organizations, and media professionals, gathered in Zorgho to advocate for the measles and rubella vaccination campaign scheduled from August 3 to 9, 2026, in the health district. Presiding over the meeting, the High Commissioner of Ganzourgou Province, Aminata Sorgho/Gouba, emphasized the importance of widespread support to ensure the campaign's success.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Dr. Delphin Kabor©, chief medical officer of the Zorgho health district, highlighted the ongoing public health issue posed by measles, with 123 suspected cases reported in the district's first half of 2026. The analysis of these cases identified five main centers of the epidemic, including the CSPS of Sapaga with 23 cases and the CMA of Zorgho with 17 cases. Other affected centers include the CSPS of Wayalguin V2, Lims¨ga, and Mankarga T.

The vaccination campaign aims to target children aged 6 months to 10 years, with an estimated 205,000 children expected to be vaccinated across Ganzourgou province. The strategy involves health and social promotion centers and usual vaccination sites in villages and farming hamlets. Supported by the World Health Organization, this initiative is part of a broader national strategy to control and eliminate measles and rubella across ten health districts in seven regions.

Dr. Kabor© also discussed the contraindications and potential adverse effects of the vaccine, along with measures for their management. Traditional and religious authorities were urged to foster awareness within their communities, while media professionals and bloggers were tasked with disseminating reliable information. Civil society organizations are expected to aid in social mobilization and counter misinformation.

Participants in the meeting raised questions about the vaccine's safety, to which Dr. Kabor© and a WHO representative assured that the vaccines are safe, effective, and well-tested. Concluding the meeting, the High Commissioner encouraged participants to counter misinformation on social networks and foster public support for the vaccination campaign.