300,000 children get polio vaccination

AROUND 300,000 children under five in Morobe, Madang and Eastern Highlands have been protected from polio, according to a report.
They were immunised during the first round of supplementary immunisation in response to the current outbreak of polio.
The first round was held from July 16 to August 3. Additional rounds are planned for late this month, next month and October.
Health Minister Sir Puka Temu said there was a high turnout in areas where there were significant numbers of mobile populations, which suggested that parents from other provinces brought their children for vaccination. “The first round of the vaccination campaign in the three provinces have shown great results and we are confident we will deliver to protect every child under five years from polio,” Sir Puka said.
To date, 299,683 children have been vaccinated — 126,312 in Morobe, 94,890 in Eastern Highlands and 78,481 in Madang.
Health Secretary Pascoe Kase said they wanted every child, especially in remote areas, immunised.
“We have teams who go back and double-check to ensure that no child is missed,” he said.
WHO representative in PNG Luo Dapeng praised the dedication and commitment of more than 2900 responders, health workers, volunteers and local authorities.
“I know many worked long hours, crossed rivers, navigated mountains and flew in choppers to reach every child and protect them from polio. I thank you for that commitment,” he said