Ntchisi DHO beats target in polio vaccination

Ntchisi District Health Office (DHO) has vaccinated 199 717 children against the target of 157 692 in the recent supplementary polio immunisation campaign of children aged between 0 and 15.

In an interview on Tuesday, Ntchisi District Hospital health promotions officer Samson Mfuyeni attributed the success to planning, supervision and training of healthcare workers.

He said there was support towards the campaign from traditional and religious leaders as well as community members.

“I encourage caregivers to continue vaccinating children in routine immunisation services in their areas to prevent polio from reaching the district,” said Mfuyeni.

Mercy Chitimbe, a resident of Ntchisi Boma, commended the DHO for reaching out to many children.

“Many women allowed their children to be vaccinated against polio despite prevailing misconceptions and misinformation about vaccines in the district,” she said.

Another community member Elube John, from Traditional Authority Chikho, said the awareness campaign helped to lobby many people to have their children vaccinated.

“Despite being a remote area where mobility is difficult, our children received the polio vaccines. We are happy because the vaccine will boost their immunity against the disease,” she said.

The Ministry of Health launched a polio vaccination campaign in Ndirande, Blantyre on July 12. The four-day campaign targeted 8.8 million children in the country.

Speaking during the launch, Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda said the campaign targeted children under 15 because of the Blantyre case of a 14-year-old