Dowa District Launches Round 2 of Polio Vaccine Campaign to Halt Virus Transmission
The campaign's objective is to ensure that all children receive protection and bolster immunity among those who haven't been vaccinated.
Dowa, Malawi - The Dowa District Health Office (DHO) is set to kickstart Round 2 of the Polio Vaccine Campaign 2023 from September 13th to 16th, aiming to administer door-to-door vaccinations to children under 15 years of age, writes Vincent Gunde.
This effort comes as Malawi grapples with the ongoing spread of Poliovirus, initially confirmed in March 2022.
Davie Nuka, the District Health Promotion Officer for Dowa, emphasised that the supplementary immunisation drive seeks to halt the circulation of Poliovirus by providing oral Polio vaccines to every child under 15, regardless of their prior immunization status.
The campaign's objective is to ensure that all children receive protection and bolster immunity among those who haven't been vaccinated.
Nuka applauded the success of Round 1, conducted in July 2023, where the district achieved a remarkable vaccination rate of 107 percent among children. This surpassed the Ministry of Health's target of 95 percent, marking a significant achievement.
Despite this success, Nuka acknowledged challenges faced during the first round, including instances where carers refused vaccination based on religious beliefs, managing the administration of multiple doses, and the impact of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Faith leaders played a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by engaging caregivers through Rapid Resolution Teams, offering informed guidance, and emphasizing the safety of the oral vaccine.
Nuka issued a call to action, urging the community to collaborate in the fight against Poliovirus: "Let's work together to prevent the spread of Poliovirus in the district by immunizing our children. Polio is a highly infectious disease that can lead to weakness or paralysis in the limbs."
Mercy Mpakule, the Director of Planning and Development at Dowa District Council, stressed the importance of intensive community sensitization before the rollout of Round 2 of the Polio vaccination campaign.
She encouraged parents and guardians to bring their children to nearby vaccination centres, emphasizing that only healthy individuals can actively contribute to the district's and the nation's development.