The Ashanti Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service has announced plans to launch a measles immunisation exercise for children in the region.

The campaign, which targets children aged between 9 and 59 months, aims to immunise 903,973 children to safeguard them against measles.

The initiative comes in response to a surge in measles cases in the region, with 119 cases recorded this year, a rise from the 79 cases reported last year.

Speaking at a press conference, Dr. Fred Adomako Boateng, the Regional Director of Health Services, underscored the importance of the exercise in protecting children from measles and rubella.

He detailed that the immunisation will take place from Wednesday, 2 October 2024, across all 43 districts in the region, with vaccines administered at hospitals, health centres, schools, and community posts.

Additionally, Dr. Boateng mentioned that vitamin A supplements will be provided to support children's overall health during the campaign.

He urged parents to prioritise the exercise, stressing the potential consequences of failing to vaccinate their children against the disease.