Polio vaccination extended to age 15
Ministry of Health says it has extended the maximum age of children eligible for the polio vaccination to 15 years.
Speaking during the national launch of the second phase of the polio vaccine in Chiradzulu yesterday, Ministry of Health Principal Secretary (Administration) Beston Chisamile said the change has come about after the health system encountered a 14-year-old case.
“We used to target the under-five children, but we have come across children aged 14 with polio that is why this time around we are saying that children age zero to 15 should receive polio vaccination,” he said.
Chisamile said Malawi has recorded six cases since the disease resurfaced in Malawi last year.
Worldwide, Unicef indicates there are 38 polio cases that have been reported so far this year.
a polio vaccine dose
Chisamile said there is need for every country to do its part in taming the disease.
“The Church and traditional leaders should help us encourage parents to present their children for vaccination as the health surveillance assistants conduct door to door vaccination,” he said.
Polio is a disease that can lead to paralysis. The aim of this vaccination is to protect the children from getting paralysed.
Unicef Malawi country representative Shadrack Omol said the vaccination protects children from polio.
He said: “We have seen cases where children who have not received the vaccination getting ill or paralysed, but with just two drops, the parents and caregivers protect their child.
“Bring the child now and any other subsequent rounds of vaccinations.”
Omol commended Malawi for making strides in vaccinating the children against polio.
In his speech, group village head Mbalame, who is also acting Traditional Authority Mpama, welcomed the second phase of polio vaccination.
Malawi and partners have been carrying out polio vaccination campaigns since last year.
During this round the Ministry of Health targets to vaccinate at least 9.7 million children. This is the sixth time since the start of the campaign last year.
