4.5 million under-five children have been immunized against polio

More than 4.5 million under-five children have been immunized against polio during the vaccination exercise conducted in all 116 districts of the country.

Health Minister Sylvia Masebo says 4,531,215 under-five children, representing 113.5% of the target have been vaccinated against polio.

Speaking during a media briefing to give an update on the Covid-19 situation in the country, Ms. Masebo says the country was threatened by a wild polio outbreak that occurred in Malawi and linked to a strain from Pakistan.

Ms. Masebo says the provinces that were at high risk, that include Eastern, Muchinga and Lusaka were targeted in the first round.

Meanwhile Ms. Masebo says the country remains threatened with an upsurge of COVID-19.

She says in the just ended week, the country recorded a total of 393 new cases, compared to 456 the previous week, a 14% reduction.

Ms Masebo says six new deaths were recorded, all classified as COVID-19 associated involving unvaccinated individuals.