And the International Federation of the Red Cross and (DFID) has provided US$11,000 towards the drive.

Lusaka Province Deputy Minister Patrick Ngoma disclosed this at the stakeholders measles campaign sensitisation meeting at Lusaka's Mulungushi International Conference Center today.

He however called for all stakeholders emulate the two organizations and extend finance assistance towards the campaign.

"Government, donors, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), private sector partners and the community at large should follow suit and offer finance help to the exercise," he said.

Mr. Ngoma observed that illnesses and deaths from measles could be prevented with routine immunisation hence the need not to spare any resource towards the exercise.

He said government aims to vaccinate 95 to 100 per cent of children between the ages of six months to under15 years.

Mr. Ngoma explained that the campaign would be countrywide except for Southern Province where a similar campaign was carried out last year.

He said that it is government’s goal to achieve 95 to 100 percent immunisation coverage in an effort to reduce measles induced deaths in children under five.

Mr. Ngoma also revealed that during the campaign children aged six months to under five would also be given Vitamin A supplements while those aged 12 months to under five would also receive mebendazole for de-worming.

The national measles campaign and immunisation programme would run form 7th to 13th June 2003.