West New Britain plans to increase immunisation coverage

The National National

By JESHER TILTO
THE West New Britain health authority (WNBPHA) plans to increase its immunisation coverage of children in the province, an official says.
WNBPHA chief executive officer Stanis Tao said the aim was to reach an immunisation coverage of almost 100, 000 children, which makes up 27 per cent of the provincial population.
“The main objective is to vaccinate all children at the age of six with one dose of the measles-rubella vaccine and one dose of the polio vaccine, regardless of their previous vaccination status,” Tao said.
He said this at the launch of the 20-day measles, rubella and polio supplementary immunisation campaign on Friday.
“There has been a significant immunisation coverage in PNG since 2005, but in the last five years, coverage remains low.
“As a result, the country is facing a very high risk of vaccine preventable diseases, especially with measles and polio, which can lead to serious health complications and death,” he said.
Tao added that certain measures would be implemented to increase immunisation coverage in the province such as:

  • STRENGTHENING of routine immunisation;
  • FOCUS on immunisation campaigns in selected districts;
  • PROPER vaccine fridges, ice packs, and cold boxes in health facilities; and,
  • ADEQUATE vaccines in provincial transit facilities.
West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel vaccinating a child during the launching of the immunisation campaign in the province on Friday. – Picture supplied

WNB Governor Sasindran Muthuvel said that he supported the initiative by the WNBPHA.
“Our people need more awareness in terms of our health programmes and we need to reach out and educate them.
“These are our future generations,” Muthuvel said.