Polio: Oshana ready for third round

THE Oshana Region is ready for today’s launch of the final round of the national polio immunisation campaign and has enough immunisation points to reach all children under the age of five.

The Health Director for the Northwest, Dr Naftalie Hamata, says 196 points have been allocated to reach the target of vaccinating 26 553 children against polio and 21 242 against measles. Hamata yesterday launched the third round at the Oshakati State Hospital.He said 100 teams consisting of 207 nurses, 137 volunteers and 13 supervisors have been assigned this time around.He appealed to parents to take their children to the immunisation points.He said although the previous two polio vaccination campaigns were very successful, they weren’t without hiccups.During the first round, the Oshana Region failed to distribute enough vaccines because of inaccurate population figures.In round two, the population was overestimated by nearly 2 000 people.Hamata said three people had died of polio in the region since the start of the outbreak in May.Hamata yesterday launched the third round at the Oshakati State Hospital.He said 100 teams consisting of 207 nurses, 137 volunteers and 13 supervisors have been assigned this time around.He appealed to parents to take their children to the immunisation points.He said although the previous two polio vaccination campaigns were very successful, they weren’t without hiccups.During the first round, the Oshana Region failed to distribute enough vaccines because of inaccurate population figures.In round two, the population was overestimated by nearly 2 000 people.Hamata said three people had died of polio in the region since the start of the outbreak in May.