Last call for polio vaccination

ROUND three of the mass polio vaccination campaign – which is only for children under the age of five – starts tomorrow morning.

The health authorities are aiming to vaccinate over 330 000 children. Health Permanent Secretary Dr Kalumbi Shangula said on Friday that the children would get polio and measles vaccinations as well as vitamin A supplementation.Shangula urged all parents to take their children for vaccination.The final round of the mass vaccination campaign against polio comes as the health authorities revealed that 279 cases of suspected polio were reported during the outbreak of the dreaded disease in June.However, 197 of the cases were found not to be polio.Thirty-two people died of polio during the outbreak.According to the health authorities, the second round of the mass polio vaccination campaign achieved a 102 per cent national coverage.Some 2 206 642 people were vaccinated in the second round, and 2 201 494 in the first round.A total of 1 244 vehicles were used to transport about 7 000 health workers and volunteers around the country.The public provided 678 of the vehicles.So far the operation has cost N$6,9 million, of which N$2,5 million was a contribution from Unicef in terms of vaccines and campaign materials.Earlier, health authorities said the total cost was expected to be in the region of N$40 million.Health Permanent Secretary Dr Kalumbi Shangula said on Friday that the children would get polio and measles vaccinations as well as vitamin A supplementation.Shangula urged all parents to take their children for vaccination.The final round of the mass vaccination campaign against polio comes as the health authorities revealed that 279 cases of suspected polio were reported during the outbreak of the dreaded disease in June.However, 197 of the cases were found not to be polio.Thirty-two people died of polio during the outbreak. According to the health authorities, the second round of the mass polio vaccination campaign achieved a 102 per cent national coverage.Some 2 206 642 people were vaccinated in the second round, and 2 201 494 in the first round.A total of 1 244 vehicles were used to transport about 7 000 health workers and volunteers around the country.The public provided 678 of the vehicles.So far the operation has cost N$6,9 million, of which N$2,5 million was a contribution from Unicef in terms of vaccines and campaign materials.Earlier, health authorities said the total cost was expected to be in the region of N$40 million.