Ministry of Health and UNICEF roll out plan to vaccinate all children below 5 years.
The Ministry of Health, in partnership with UNICEF Uganda, has held a media orientation meeting for journalists in Eastern Uganda, in preparation for the upcoming Mass Polio Vaccination Campaign.
The training, conducted at Mbale Resort Hotel, aimed at equipping journalists with critical information to help mobilize the public and raise awareness about the campaign, set to begin on October 3, 2024.
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The vaccination drive will target 49 districts in the Busoga, Bukedi, Bugisu, Teso, and Karamoja subregions, following the discovery of a polio case in Mbale City earlier this year.
The campaign is part of an urgent response to prevent the spread of the highly contagious and potentially deadly disease.
Vaccination Targets All Children Below 5 Years
Emily Chepteok, a Principal Nursing Officer with the Ministry of Health’s immunization program, led the discussion and emphasized the importance of the campaign.
She revealed that all children under the age of five years in the targeted districts will receive the polio vaccine, regardless of their previous vaccination status.
“This mass vaccination campaign will run from October 3rd to 6th, and we are targeting all children below five years in the eastern and Karamoja regions, whether they have been previously vaccinated or not,” Chepteok said.
Chepteok urged journalists to use their platforms to sensitize the public about the importance of the campaign.
"Your role is crucial in mobilizing the masses to ensure the success of this exercise," she added.
Agnes Masagwai, the Health Educator for Mbale District, reiterated the importance of reaching every child.
She explained that the vaccination campaign would be conducted through a house-to-house strategy, with medics moving door to door to ensure that no child under five is left behind.
"This campaign is vital for our children’s future. Medics will be visiting every home to administer the vaccine to all eligible children," Masagwai said.
She also emphasized the global health implications of polio, stating that even a single case can be a cause for global concern.
“Polio is a highly infectious and dangerous disease that attacks the nervous system, muscles, and can cause paralysis or even death,” Masagwai warned.
In this first phase, the Ministry is targeting over 2.7 million children across the 49 districts. A second phase of the vaccination campaign will take place from November 7th to 10th.
Masagwai urged members of the public to be vigilant and report any signs of paralysis among children below 15 years, which could be indicative of polio.
“If you see any child below the age of 15 experiencing sudden paralysis, it should be treated as a suspected case of polio, and immediate reporting is critical,” she added.
Jolly Atwine Twongyeirwe, a communication officer from the Ministry of Health, addressed the issue of vaccine hesitancy driven by myths and misinformation.
She appealed to journalists to help combat the myths surrounding the polio vaccine and reassure the public of its safety.
“There are several myths circulating about vaccines, but we are relying on you, the media, to demystify these falsehoods.
The vaccines are safe and have been tested, so please encourage parents to allow their children to be vaccinated,” Atwine said.
According to Ministry of Health data, the polio case discovered in Mbale City was traced to Garissa in Kenya.
This revelation underscores the need for cross-border health collaborations to prevent the spread of the disease.
With the campaign set to cover districts such as Mbale, Soroti, Moroto, Jinja, and Kapchorwa, the Ministry of Health is urging all citizens to support the effort in eradicating polio from the region.
Journalists were reminded of their pivotal role in disseminating accurate information and ensuring that the message of polio prevention reaches every corner of the targeted regions.
The Mass Polio Vaccination Campaign in Uganda comes at a critical time, as health authorities work to eliminate the threat of polio and protect the country's youngest citizens from its devastating effects.