Across Zimbabwe, a renewed sense of urgency and hope fills clinics, schools, and community centers as health teams fan out to vaccinate millions of children. The 2025 National Measles-Rubella Vaccination and Vitamin A Supplementation Campaign, launched by the Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora, at Stoneridge Clinic in Harare, signals the country’s determined effort to prevent another wave of preventable childhood diseases.
The campaign, which runs from October 6 to 10, targets over 2.5 million children between six and 59 months of age, offering free measles-rubella vaccines and Vitamin A supplements. It is part of a nationwide effort to rebuild the wall of protection that had been weakened by years of low immunisation coverage and outbreaks that tested the health system’s resilience.
For parents, the campaign is more than a health programme, it is reassurance. “I came early because I want my child protected,” said one mother, waiting at Stoneridge Clinic. Another added, “The last measles outbreak frightened us. I will never miss a vaccination again.”
Dr Mombeshora said the campaign reflects Zimbabwe’s strong resolve to eliminate diseases that threaten child survival. “We are protecting our children from measles, or gwirikwiti in Shona, a disease that can cause severe complications or even death, particularly among malnourished children,” he said. “Rubella, on the other hand, affects pregnant women and can harm unborn babies. This is why vaccination is vital, not just for children, but for the future generation.”
The country’s health system has made notable progress in recent years. Since 2015, Zimbabwe has rolled out the second dose of the measles vaccine, strengthened routine immunisation, and expanded outreach services. However, vaccination coverage remains below the 95 percent herd immunity level needed to prevent outbreaks.
The devastating 2022–2023 measles outbreak, which claimed hundreds of young lives, served as a wake-up call. It exposed the dangers of missed vaccinations and misinformation, particularly in rural areas. The new campaign, therefore, is not just about vaccines, it is about restoring confidence, reinforcing community trust, and ensuring no child is left behind.
Health experts commend the government’s effort, noting that the inclusion of Vitamin A supplementation adds a nutritional dimension to the programme. Vitamin A helps boost immunity, prevent blindness, and improve child survival rates, making it a key part of the fight against undernutrition and preventable deaths.
The campaign also demonstrates how policy, science, and community action can converge for national health security. It aligns with the National Health Strategy’s vision of universal health coverage and the global goal of eliminating measles and rubella by 2030.
As vaccination teams travel through cities, villages, and remote settlements, this national effort stands as a reflection of collective responsibility. Every syringe, every drop of Vitamin A, and every child protected represents a step toward a healthier, more resilient Zimbabwe.
In the words of one health worker at the launch, “This is not just about vaccines, it’s about life, hope, and the promise of a future where no child dies from a disease we can prevent.”
