As lab samples have revealed the presence of the polio virus in the country, the Ministry of Health and partners will start a second round of vaccination drive. The four-day mass immunization campaign is scheduled for March 19 – 22, 2022, and children below 5 years will be the leading targets.
Speaking to reporters during a presser held at the Medical Store in Kotu, the Director of Health Promotion, Modou Njai, vowed to come up with a ‘very big campaign’ next Saturday.
Data released today by health authorities suggest that over 300,000 children were previously inoculated. With wo drops per dose, the vaccine is said to be safe and effective.
Njai urged parents, care givers, communities to display the same level of cooperation as the second round of ant-polio vaccine is set to start next weekend.
“They are looking at children from 0 to 59 months,” he emphasized while indicating that Arabic schools are also going to be included in the upcoming vaccination push.
He seized the opportunity to call on the Christian Council and the Imams to use their sermons to send the message.
In his opening address, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) Program Manager, Sedat Fofana, reminded everyone that polio is a deadly disease. “If it does not kill, it causes paralysis,” he said.
For her part, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) Coordinator, Dr. Iheoma Onuerwusi expressed the urgent need to involve communities in the campaign.
“We are appealing to all parents, care givers,” he said.
