Zambia: The Ministry of Health in Kalulushi district has a target to vaccinate 38 000 children of the various communties of the district against Polio. The officials of the health office have confirmed that they are dedicated to encourage the people of the district to vaccinate their children against the potentially deadly disease.
The vaccination campaign has been ongoing in several parts of Zambia, with the nation’s health stakeholders spreading awareness about the benefits of vaccination and immunization. The families across the country have been brought together to learn about the benefits of vaccinating the children.
District Health Director Cliff Hara made these remarks during a stakeholders meeting on the Polio campaign in Kalulushi. The meeting was hosted with the aim of gathering support for the initiative.
The people of the district have also expressed their excitement for the public welfare initiative started by the healthcare workers. In light of this, Dr Hara stated that all children from the age of 0 to 5 years will be vaccinated.
The initiative will be extended to all the communities residing in all the 24 wards of Kalulushi district. The vaccination campaigns seeks to ensure that the viral disease is rooted out of the nation permanently.
The aim of the healthcare stakeholders is to make sure that no new cases pf polio emerge in the nation in the near future.
He said the exercise which is done door to door starting on July 25 2024 will run for three days so that every child below the age of 5 years is captured.
Dr Hara said this will be the only chance for those children that show weak muscles which is a symptom of polio to have them vaccinated against the disease.
He has since urged Kalulushi residents to exercise hygiene in their homes to prevent the disease.
Meanwhile, Kalulushi Mayor Daudi Simama also urged ward councilors to sensitise the communities in the wards on the importance of having their children vaccinated against polio.