By Brenda Kayo:
The Ministry of Health has disclosed that about 9.1 million children aged 15 years and below have received the second dose of polio vaccine in the country.
Secretary for Health Samson Mndolo disclosed this to The Daily Times on Monday, adding that the figures represent 94 percent.
“As of day four, we managed to vaccinate 94 percent but there is more data yet to be entered. We are aiming at 95 percent,” Mndolo said.
He said misconceptions surrounding the vaccine and hesitancy continued to lower the uptake.
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“Vaccine hesitancy is contributing to lower uptake of vaccines. Most people feel [that] we have too many campaigns and some are choosing not to vaccinate their children but we are engaging them and others are changing their minds and getting their children vaccinated,” Mndolo said.
He said the ministry will continue with the routine immunisation and surveillance exercises to reach out to the target of vaccinating 9.7 million children under 15 years.
The principal secretary, however, said the next round of polio vaccine campaign would be administered with the aim of ensuring that children are adequately protected from the disease.
Recently, Blantyre District Health Office spokesperson Chrissy Banda indicated that there was poor response to the supplementary oral polio immunisation campaign, attributing the development to hesitancy due to fatigue.
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The Ministry of Health rolled out the second round of polio vaccination campaign from September 13 to 16 in all districts in Malawi.
