By Astou Jawara
The Ministry of Health has commenced its Second Round of nationwide Vaccination campaign against Polio virus, after the successful completion of the first round of vaccination, with support from partners such as Global Polio Eradication Initiative, World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF, CDC and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The 2nd Round of the exercise is to run from 19-22 March, 2022; and according to the Gambian Health Ministry, the vaccination exercise would be targeting 382,908 children aged 0-59 months old, across the country.
During the process, vaccination teams and social mobilizers would be moving from house-to-house, Early Childhood Development Centres, Nursery Schools, Markets, Ferry crossing points, Health Centres and in strategic locations to vaccinate all eligible children.
“Vaccinating children with Oral Polio Vaccine is the only proven strategy to break the chain of transmission of the virus among the population.
“The vaccine in use is safe and effective as proven by WHO and partners. Therefore, vaccination remains a top priority in the Ministry of Health’s agenda, thus all children under the age of five years must be vaccinated for the country to maintain the polio free status,” the Director of Health Promotion and Education at the Health Ministry, Mr. Modou Njai, stated ahead of the campaign. “Do not miss out, immunization saves lives,” he intimated.
Director Njai, on behalf of the Ministry, appealed to all families and caregivers, community leaders and religious leaders to ensure that all eligible children are vaccinated in their houses, communities and any other public places.
“The Ministry of Health would like to appeal to all parents and caregivers to have their children vaccinated in the upcoming round of polio vaccination. We are hopeful that, with this second round of polio campaign, stopping the polio transmission will be achieved.
“Therefore, the continuous support and cooperation of the public is herewith solicited,” the head of Health Promotion and Education, declared.
