The polio vaccination exercise has kicked off in Chikwawa District, aiming to protect children under the age of 10 from contracting the disease.
The exercise, which started today, Wednesday, February 11, is part of a nationwide effort to eradicate polio, a highly infectious disease that can cause paralysis and death.
Last year, a case of polio was reported in Blantyre, highlighting the need for urgent action to prevent the spread of the disease, hence the vaccination drive in Chikwawa.
The vaccination exercise will be conducted in three phases, with the first phase, dubbed ‘Round 0’, running from February 11 to 14, targeting children under the age of 10.
The second phase, ‘Round 1’, will take place from March 9 to 12, and the final phase, ‘Round 2’, will run from April 7 to 10, ensuring that all eligible children receive the vaccination.
Chikwawa District Health Office spokesperson, Settie Piriminta, said the exercise aims to reach over 196,000 children across the district, and urged parents to take their children to vaccination centers.
Piriminta emphasized the importance of the vaccine in preventing polio, a disease that can have devastating consequences, including paralysis and death.
The vaccination teams will be deployed in all health centers and outreach clinics across the district, making it convenient for parents to access the vaccine for their children.
The government, with support from health partners, is committed to ensuring that all children in Malawi are protected against polio, a disease that can be prevented through vaccination.
