21 September 2009

Masaka District has launched a mass immunisation against Tetanus, following an outbreak of the killer disease that has claimed lives of women and children.

A nursing officer, Ms Tereza Namisango said: "Fourteen children and 11 adults last year died of tetanus," adding, "out of the 57 per cent of people immunised against tetanus, only 5 percent were pregnant mothers."

Ms Namisango said the immunisation is targeting about 2.000 expectant mothers and girls between the age of 13 and 49, who are more susceptible to the disease. The immunisation exercise started last Friday in primary and secondary schools and will run for three days.

The District Education Officer, Mr Xavier Ssekadu, warned the public against misconceptions that if girls or women are immunised, they will not produce children. Ms Betty Irwasi, an official from the Ministry of Health, said Masaka, Mityana, Mubende, Busia and Nakapiripit are among the high risk district with cases of tetanus.

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