Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Ministry of Health has targeted to vaccinate about 4.7 million children under the age of five against polio in four phases of the mass vaccination campaign that has kicked off today.
Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo made the announcement in a speech read on her behalf by Lusaka province Minister Sheal Mulyata during the launch of the mass polio vaccination campaign in Chawama.
Ms Masebo says the first round of vaccinations will cover three provinces namely Eastern, Lusaka and Muchinga targeting 1.2 million children and will run from 23rd to 27th March,2022.
She says the next round of vaccinations will commence at least four weeks apart targeting 3.5 million eligible children.
Ms Masebo says healthcare providers will provide door to door vaccinations to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated, while vaccination will also be provided in health centers, markets, bus stations and other places convenient for the exercise.
The minister has since urged parents and guardians to ensure that all children under the age of five receive the vaccine regardless of whether they were previously vaccinated in order to give them maximum protection.
Speaking at the same event, World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative, Dr Nathan Bakyaita has urged the general public to receive the healthcare service providers and community volunteers as they conduct their door to door vaccination exercise.
Meanwhile Rotary Club representative Victor Mensah says a case of polio recorded in neighboring Malawi should be a wakeup call that the battle against the disease is not over.