Qacha’s Nek, Oct. 23 — As the nationwide Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign continues, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) member Bereng Loko has embarked on door-to-door community mobilisation at Ha Rateronko, encouraging parents and caregivers to bring their children for vaccination.
His mobilisation is part of ongoing efforts by RCCE members across Qacha’s Nek district to ensure every child is reached ahead of vaccination day as scheduled. In Ha Rateronko, vaccination will be conducted by Tebellong LECSA Hospital health professionals, with the chief’s place identified as the local vaccination site.
During his visits, Loko explained that measles is a highly contagious viral infection that causes fever, rash, and cough and can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia or brain inflammation. Rubella, he added, is a mild viral illness but can cause severe birth defects if contracted by pregnant women.
He outlined the signs of measles, including high fever, fine rash, persistent cough, runny nose, red and teary eyes, and small white spots inside the mouth. Symptoms of rubella include very high fever, cough, runny nose, a light rash, sore throat, and headache.
Loko advised caregivers to take children to the nearest health facility immediately if these symptoms appear. He also explained that after vaccination, children may experience mild side effects, such as slight swelling, rash at the injection area, or mild fever, but stressed that these are temporary and normal.
“If these reactions occur, caregivers should take the child to the nearest health centre,” he said.
He urged caregivers to ensure their children are vaccinated, emphasizing that immunisation is the most effective way to protect children from preventable diseases.
Families welcomed the initiative, expressing appreciation for the door-to-door awareness and pledging to bring their children and grandchildren for vaccination.
Former Village Health Worker (VHW) ’Mants’ela Thamae of Ha Setoki said the information shared “was very important,” adding, “I will bring my three grandchildren for vaccination because I want them to grow well and be able to take care of me in the future.”
Thamae, who served as a VHW in the 1990s, noted that while she already knew about MR, ongoing education reminds caregivers of their vital role.
“We should ensure that children are vaccinated to protect them from these dangerous diseases and to help them grow up healthy and have a future,” she said.
She also appealed for a nearby health post or regular outreach programmes for Ha Rateronko villagers, explaining that “Tebellong is far, and as we get older, it’s not easy to carry our grandchildren to the facility. This sometimes causes children to miss their vaccines.”
Thamae further requested that weighing sessions for children be conducted at Rateronko Preschool on scheduled dates, saying the scales help caregivers monitor children’s growth and detect malnutrition early.
“The preschool could serve as a suitable location for weighing sessions because we really can’t afford to go to the Village Health Worker’s place, it’s too far,” she said.
Another resident, ’Matlotliso Nts’oane, also commended the mobilisation, saying, “It’s encouraging to see health workers visiting homes and explaining why vaccination is important. It shows that our children’s health truly matters.”
The nationwide five-day MR vaccination campaign, launched on Monday, October 20, 2025, aims to immunise 95 percent of children aged 9 months to 4 years and 11 months. The campaign also includes the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), Vitamin A supplementation, and Albendazole for deworming.
This year’s campaign is supported by the Government of Lesotho (M14.7 million), GAVI (M4.1 million), UNICEF (M897, 250), and WHO (M 55,500), contributing a combined total of nearly M20m to cover operations, logistics, and outreach activities.
The house-to-house mobilisation in Ha Rateronko demonstrates how bringing health education directly to families builds trust and boosts participation. Through community-driven efforts like these, no child is left behind, and every home becomes a step closer to a healthier, safer future.
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