The Ministry of Health formally announced the commencement of the second phase of the nationwide polio vaccination campaign specifically targeting children under the age of five. This proactive measure is undertaken in collaboration with partners associated with the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) was executed over a period of four days, between the 7th of June and concluded on the 11th of the same month.
Dr. Maada Kangbai, Program Manager for EPI, emphasized the pivotal need for this campaign, particularly in light of the initial polio case reported in Freetown. The campaign encompasses two distinct phases, with additional samples collected during the first phase to provide valuable insights for subsequent stages.
Key representatives, notably from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and the World Health Organization (WHO), underscored the paramount importance of unwavering vigilance in combating polio. Parents were earnestly urged to prioritize the vaccination of their children, emphasizing that the emergence of a poliovirus case does not invalidate previously attained certifications.
UNICEF accentuated the necessity for corrective actions based on the challenges encountered during the initial phase of the campaign. With an ample supply of six million vaccine doses, proper disposal of materials was underscored as a crucial factor in ensuring the success of this initiative.
Although the Deputy Minister of Health 2 was unavoidably absent, a statement read during the press conference provided assurance of a more robust approach aimed at reaching every locality within Sierra Leone. The collaborative effort to combat polio was recognized as a shared responsibility among all stakeholders.
The first phase of the mass polio vaccination campaign achieved remarkable success, reaching over 1.9 million children. The second phase, scheduled from the 8th to the 11th of June, aimed to target over 1.5 million children for vaccination, thereby ensuring comprehensive coverage in the fight against polio.
Comments