Lesotho Launches Measles and Rubella Vaccination Campaign in Quthing District

The Ministry of Health has launched a measles and rubella vaccination campaign in the Quthing Mount Moorosi district. The campaign began on October 16, 2025, and aims to reduce the risk of diseases such as pneumonia among children under five.

Minister of Health, Hon. Selibe Mochoboroane, said the vaccination program began in 2017 and continues to protect young children from preventable diseases. He explained that the vaccine targets children aged five years and below, who remain vulnerable to infections that can lead to severe complications.

Mochoboroane urged health workers in rural villages to take responsibility for ensuring all eligible children receive the vaccine. He emphasized that local health workers must maintain accurate records and be equipped with the necessary tools to deliver effective healthcare services.

Deputy Prime Minister Justice Nthomeng Majara said the vaccination initiative reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding children’s health. He noted that the campaign is led under the direction and patronage of Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane and his ministerial colleagues. Majara highlighted that preventing measles and rubella will also prevent severe outcomes such as brain swelling, pneumonia, and loss of life.

The Ministry of Education expressed concern about the negative impact of illness on children’s learning. It warned that children who miss the vaccination drops are more likely to struggle with school performance. The ministry said it is working closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure full vaccine coverage and appealed to community leaders, parents, and organizations to support the campaign.

World Health Organization (WHO) representative, Dr. Innocent B. Nuwagira, commended the government’s efforts. He said the campaign aims to prevent diseases that continue to threaten children’s lives, adding that vaccines remain one of the most effective tools in public health. Dr. Nuwagira stressed that every child must receive this vital vaccine to achieve full community protection.

The Ministry of Health announced that from Monday, October 20, 2025, to Friday, October 24, 2025, health teams will visit all areas across the district. In addition to providing the measles and rubella vaccines, they will also distribute birth control pills as part of the broader community health initiative.

This campaign reinforces Lesotho’s goal to eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases and ensure that every child grows up healthy and protected.