The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced the launch of a partial vaccination campaign against measles and rubella across several cities in eastern Libya. The campaign will begin on 20 September and continue until the end of the month.
According to the NCDC, the campaign will be implemented in Benghazi, Marj, Abyar, Jardas Al-Abid, Tocra, Milaitaniya, the Green Mountain coast, Bayda, and Shahat. It specifically targets children aged between nine months and eight years.
The centre said it had detected three measles outbreaks in the targeted areas, raising concerns about the rising number of cases. The NCDC noted that the current infection rates are higher than expected, and some cases may remain undetected.
Authorities have urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated without delay. In a statement, the NCDC stressed that the vaccine is safe, approved by the World Health Organization, and remains effective even if a child has a mild cold.
Health experts in Libya warn that failure to vaccinate could worsen the outbreaks and pose a wider public health risk. They emphasised that the measles and rubella vaccine is a proven method of preventing the spread of the highly contagious diseases.
The NCDC has also coordinated with local health facilities to ensure vaccine availability and proper distribution during the campaign. The centre added that community awareness is vital to achieving high coverage levels and protecting vulnerable groups, particularly young children.
The vaccination drive forms part of Libya’s broader public health strategy to combat preventable diseases, with officials highlighting the importance of timely immunisation as a key measure in safeguarding children’s health.
