22. Vitamin A supplementation

Last update: 2022-09-14

Vitamin A is vital for a child’s healthy development.
Vitamin A is usually provided by foods such as liver, dairy products and eggs.
Sometimes, children do not have enough vitamin A in their diet and are at risk of becoming very sick if they have measles, malaria or diarrhoea.
Lack of vitamin A can also cause eye problems and even blindness.

How to give vitamin A supplements
Vitamin A can be given to children in the form of a liquid or capsules. During a mass measles vaccination campaign, vitamin A supplements should be given to all children between six months and five years of age.

Make sure you know your National Society’s policy on when volunteers may give vitamin A to children. Follow the policy.
Conduct social mobilization activities before a vaccination campaign (see Action tool Mass vaccination campaigns) to tell the community about vitamin A supplementation.
Coordinate with health professionals from your local health facilities. They can tell you how to administer vitamin A and what doses to give.
Make sure a good plan is prepared for providing vitamin A supplements.
Make sure all children from the ages of six months to five years are given vitamin A correctly.
Register all children to whom you administer vitamin A and make sure that you do not give a child two doses.