Uganda polio vaccination has reached millions of children: Ministry of Health

Into final day, Uganda’s ministry of health has termed ‘successful’ a door-to-door polio immunization campaign to prevent the reintroduction of wild polio virus from neighboring countries.

The three-day exercise that started on Saturday is targeting all children under 5 years of age and a total of 5,753,301 children in 73 high risk districts.

Vivian Nakalika Sserwanja, spokesperson of the ministry of health told TheUgandan on Monday that the exercise was registered very impressive numbers but will not replace the routine immunisation schedule.

“This exercise, unlike the past campaigns, parents and guardians have been very responsive,” Ms. Sserwanja said.

“The public response wherever our teams have been across the 73 selected high risk districts, goes to show that now more than ever the public appreciates government efforts towards protecting the country’s children against immunisable diseases,” she added.

“We are highly optimistic that we shall surpass the intended 95% coverage.”

Vivian Nakalika Sserwanja (C), spokesperson of the ministry of health who lives in Kampala has her child a door-to-door polio immunization campaign to prevent the reintroduction of wild polio virus from neighboring countries.

The selected high risk districts wher the exercise is happening are: Adjumani, Agago, Alebtong, Amolatar, Amuru, Apac, Arua, Budaka, Bududa, Bugiri, Bukwo, Bulambuli, Buliisa, Bundibugyo, Busia, Butaleja, Buyende, Dokolo, Gulu, Hoima, Iganga, Isingiro, Jinja, Kaabong, Kabale, Kabarole, Kaliro, Kampala, Kamuli, Kamwenge, Kanungu, Kapchorwa, Kasese, Kibaale, Kibuku, Kiryandongo, Kisoro, Kitgum, Koboko, Kole, Kween, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo, Lamwo, Lira, Luuka, Manafwa, Maracha, Masindi, Mayuge, Mbale, Moyo, Namayingo, Namatumba, Nebbi, Ntoroko, Ntungamo, Nwoya, Otuke, Oyam, Pader, Pallisa, Rakai, Rukungiri, Sironko, Tororo, Wakiso, Yumbe, Zombo, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Omoro and Rubanda.

The polio immunisation exercise is being conducted door-to-door and all children given Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) drops in the mouth, whether they have previously been vaccinated or not.

The vaccination exercise aims at increasing and sustaining high population immunity against the crippling disease.

Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease, which mainly affects young children. The virus is transmitted by person-to-person spread mainly through the faecal-oral route or, less frequently, by a common vehicle (e.g. contaminated water or food) and multiplies in the intestine, from where it can invade the nervous system and can cause paralysis.

Initial symptoms of polio include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck, and pain in the limbs. In a small proportion of cases, the disease causes paralysis, which is often permanent. There is no cure for polio, it can only be prevented by immunization.