Due to its high virulence and pathogenicity, measles caused a scare when it broke out in the second quarter of the year 2022 claiming lives of many young people especially those below the age of 5 years. The outbreak was caused primarily by the disruptions caused by the worldwide pandemic of the 21^st century (COVID-19) which stalled routine immunization when stringent lockdown measures were put in place by various heads of states in order to protect their people from the deadly disease.

With no cure against it the only way to eradicate measles is by ensuring that herd immunity is achieved a situation whereby at least 80 % of the eligible age groups are vaccinated fully and have developed immunity to the deadly ailment. AWET in partnership with UNICEF under the CERF grant will be educating communities in Chipinge, Chiredzi, Gutu, Mwenezi, Bikita, Goromonzi, Mazowe, Chikomba, Harare and Bulawayo on prevention of measles through MR vaccination thereby creating demand for the uptake of the vaccines.

Summary of activities done so far

• Tshirts designing already done including QR code insertion and IoGT, UNICEF logo and identifying a service provider for the tshirts.
• Posters designed both electronic (digital) and physical (hand) posters approved by UNICEF and have IoGT, UNICEF logo and QR code.
• Identified a documentor / video recorder to produce 1 minute video clips.
• Developed Terms of Reference for the baseline survey Consultant.
• Advertised for consultant for the baseline survey for measles and polio
• Developed evaluation matrix for the selection of the consultant with three different partners giving scores relative to the TOR for the finalists

Progress against planned targets

During the reporting month of December activities done were to ensure smooth implementation of the program in January 2023. With reference to the program workplan only activity 1.7 was scheduled for the reporting period.

Project implementation is going well as planned with the anticipation of all programs targets being able to be attained within the stipulated timelines, most of the project activities are starting in January 2023.