80,000 children in NCD get vaccinated

ABOUT 80,000 children under 15 years old in the National Capital District (NCD) were given polio vaccinations last week, an official says.
National Capital District Health Services paediatrician Fiona Kupe said it was a number they had reached on Friday since the under-15 campaign began last Monday.
“Children between the age group five and 15 were leading in the number as we started in schools and health facilities and mobile sites last week,” she said.
“We arranged the vaccination in three categories – under one year old, one-year-to-four-years old and five to 15 years old.
We are targeting 170,000 children and we hope to reach that or above that estimate by the end of the two weeks this week.
The National Capital District was the first province to vaccinate children under the age of 15.
The vaccination campaign started from Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 3.30pm in settlements, schools, bus stops, market places and other public venues.
The nationwide vaccination for children under 15 years old was launched yesterday. More than 3.2 million children are targeted in the nationwide vaccination campaign and will involve 9000 polio workers in the 22 provinces.
Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS Sir Puka Temu said it was a massive operation that would need the cooperation of every member of society.
A public health emergency was declared on June 26 and a comprehensive response plan was developed.
Sir Puka said parents had no excuse but to have their children vaccinated.
“We have 70 global experts around the world that have volunteered to assist countries fight polio through the World Health Organisation – now in the country to help us fight polio,” he said.
“All these government and partners’ commitments will not be successful if parents don’t bring their children for vaccination.”