Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The government launched a polio vaccination campaign on Wednesday, 26 October targeting children under the age of five.
The first round of the polio vaccination campaign is scheduled to run between October 27 and October 30 and the second round will run from December 1 to December 4.
Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Dr. John Mangwiro said polio cases have been confirmed in neighbouring countries and there are high chances of cross-border spread of the disease. He said:
We share strong social and economic activities with the affected countries, hence the vaccination drive to protect children below five years as they are at risk.
Also speaking at the launch, World Health Organisation (WHO) country representative, Dr. Alex Gasasira, said:
I am delighted that Zimbabwe has taken great strides to eliminate polio. Parents should take advantage of this initiative and present their children for vaccination regardless of their religion.
Polio oral vaccine is free for every child and Zimbabwe has been polio-free since 1989.
According to CDC polio, or poliomyelitis, is a disabling and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus.
The virus spreads from person to person and can infect a person’s spinal cord, causing paralysis.
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