Why are children dying from measles in Zimbabwe?
Nearly 160 children have died in an outbreak of the disease in the east of the country
Africa Daily · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
A single dose of vaccine can give children strong protection against Measles.
But low vaccination rates in Manicaland in eastern Zimbabwe has led to an outbreak there in which nearly 160 children have died – and many more have become seriously ill.
The government and medical experts say they believe the source of the outbreak may have been a mass gathering of a local religious sect which discourages people from going to hospital.
They also say the emphasis on fighting Covid-19 over the last two years meant a previous vaccination drive fizzled out.
Presenter: Alan Kasujja (@kasujja)