The fourth round of the nation wide Polio vaccination campaign will start from Friday 2nd to Monday 5th October 2009, targeting children from 0-59 months.
The objectives of the three rounds campaign, according to UNICEF Health Manager Dr Augustin Kabano were to achieve 95% coverage for children under five years.
He told reporters in a news conference on Friday that, the results achieved in the three rounds were outstanding; with 95.6% in round 1, 107% in round 2 and 109 % in round 3.
Dr Kabano reiterated that, these results are evidence of the excellent collaboration of all, high commitment of government and local leaders, continued support from the media, but most importantly the commitment of caring parents who prepared their children for vaccination.
The Health Manager also commended all non –governmental implementing partners, civil society organizations, local and national groups, partners for their diligence and commitment to improving the well being of Sierra Leone mothers and children.
“We of the United Nations System in Sierra Leone will continue to work very closely with the government and people of Sierra Leone towards sustained peace and development in Sierra Leone” he said.
Dr Kabano further reiterated that following an outbreak of wild polio virus in the sub region this year, 17 countries in the African region have reported 585 cases as of last week.
This he stated, means that an epidemic of the wild polio virus is ongoing in the Mano River Union countries. In order to prevent its population from further spread of polio Sierra Leone has conducted three rounds of preventive campaigns in May, July, August and now a fourth round in October.
The Health Manager said that the house to house strategy used in the campaign was also effective though it was very demanding, yet health personnel showed high commitment, even during heavy rainy season.
With this fourth round, Sierra Leone government is once more showing its commitment to protect the children of this country as well joining the global efforts to eradicate this deadly disease Dr Kabano noted.
He intimated that, this round is done in synchronization with six countries in West Africa, including Guinea and Liberia, to make sure all children are reached even the ones traveling in those countries.
Dr Kabano stated that the high rates of infant and maternal mortality in Sierra Leone are linked to several factors including limited health infrastructure, low coverage of essential interventions and some misconceptions about key behavior like early and exclusive breastfeeding.
As a development partner, it therefore makes sense to support the government in conducting this vaccination campaign and subsequently intensifying provision for routine health services and promotion of good health practices.
In his power point presentation EPI Logistics Officer Joseph Abu, said that the vaccination is free and the objective is to immunize all children under five years with a supplementary dose of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV).
He explained that OPV, is given to all children under five years in the whole country at the same time to stop the transmission of Wild Polio Virus (the virus that causes polio).
Dr Abu stated that the strategy for implementation, is the house to house with teams also visiting, markets, police stations, offices, hospitals, slum areas, schools, areas with poor road access, Islands and anywhere where there are children.
By Abibatu Kamara
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