Mangochi District Hospital extended programme on immunisation deputy coordinator Gertrude Maida says lack of adequate information coupled with the spread of myths and misconceptions about vaccines has affected the polio vaccination campaign in the district.
She said on Thursday during an interview on the progress of the exercise in the district that the polio vaccination exercise is progressing well.
Said Maida: “We have deployed health surveillance assistants in schools, community-based organisation facilities, villages and other areas.
Said Maida: “However, we have noted that the exercise is being hampered by myths and misconceptions, which are causing some parents and guardians to refuse their children to be vaccinated.”
She emphasised the need to intensify public awareness to provide accurate information about vaccines to counter misinformation.
“Going forward, we need to invest more in raising awareness about the benefits of vaccines so that parents and guardians can embrace such exercises,” said Maida.
A parent Asiatu M’madi from Traditional Authority (T/A) Mponda, whose two children received the vaccine, encouraged fellow parents to follow suit.
“I allowed my children to receive the vaccine because health workers encourage us to ensure they receive vaccines to strengthen their immunity against diseases,” she said.
Mangochi National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust programme officer Joseph Chamambala stressed the need for mindset change interventions across the district if more children are to get vaccinated.
“We are at the forefront in promoting mindset change, which is a key enabler to achieving the aspirations of the country’s long-term development strategy, Malawi 2063. People need to embrace vaccines and other health interventions,” he said.
At least 579 000 children aged 10 years and below were expected to be vaccinated in the second phase of the campaign, which started on April 27 and was scheduled to conclude on April 30 2026 in the district.
