The first round of Polio Vaccination Campaign targeting children under the age of kicked off today and will cover 49 Districts in the Mbale Region.
Representing the Minister for Health, Director Public Health, Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze launched the the Polio Vaccination Campaign at Busamanga playground in Mbale City.
The door-to-door campaign which will run for 3 days until 6 October, 2024 targets all children under 5 years of age in Busoga, Bugisu, Bukedi, Teso, Sebei and Karamoja regions.
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease transmitted through drinking or eating food contaminated with feaces from an infected person. It makes a child lame for life and sometimes kills.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General for Ministry of Health, Dr Joseph Okware, the Director governance and regulation called on the communities to embrace this vaccination campaign as it is the only cheaper way to eradicate vaccine preventable diseases in the country.
Polio can only be prevented by immunization (drops of the oral Polio vaccine in the child’s mouth or via injection on the right thing). The campaign which spearheaded by the Ministry of Health with support from World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF.
Dr. Kyabayinze appealled to Parents and caregivers to cooperate with health workers when they visit their homes to vaccinate the children against.
He noted that the Polio vaccine is safe, effective and free.