The government says if polio vaccination coverage falls short of its 80% target, another round of vaccinations will be rolled out.
The government rolled out the third round of its nationwide polio vaccination campaign from 27 to 30 April.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology on Cabinet decisions taken during the 12th and 13th Cabinet meetings on 28 April and 6 May, minister Emma Theofelus says the third round of vaccinations achieved 47% coverage in the first two days.
“As a result, the Cabinet directed the Ministry of Health and Social Services to consider reactivating door-to-door vaccinations in certain areas when necessary, taking into account the epidemiological risks associated with discontinuing the initiative,” the minister says.
“Moreover, the Cabinet took note that in the event the vaccination coverage is below the 80% threshold, a fourth round may be required to protect all children and prevent cases of acute flaccid paralysis,” Theofelus says.
She says the Cabinet urges all leaders to support the ‘partnership model’ by encouraging parents to voluntarily present their children at designated public vaccination sites. – Nampa
