| Collaborators within the Ministry of Public Health, the World Health Organization and UNICEF explained the importance of vaccination yesterday in Andraharo. |
Decrease. “Between the year 2020 and 2024, three hundred and eighty cases of poliomyelitis have been confirmed on the Big Island. For this year, one hundred and sixty-four reported cases have been recorded since January to date. However, there are no positive cases of this disease at the moment,” explains Doctor Lantosoa Ratsarahajarizafy, Polio Madagascar Incident Manager, during an orientation session on vaccination yesterday in Andraharo.
Cases have decreased thanks to numerous polio vaccination campaigns carried out in the country. This year’s goal is to administer polio vaccines to 12,851,149 children under the age of fifteen across the island, the doctor continues. A first wave of the anti-polio vaccination campaign is planned for May 14 to 17.
The polio vaccine, OPV O, is one of the first doses of vaccine given to a child. Additionally, it can be administered repeatedly as it gives children complete protection. Poliomyelitis is a contagious disease, causing paralysis and sometimes death. This disease can affect all kinds of individuals, particularly children under five years old and especially those who have not completed their full-term vaccination.
Catch-up
People with polio may be asymptomatic but still transmit the virus. Polio manifests itself with high temperatures, vomiting, paralysis of the limbs, muscle pain, etc.
Transmission of the poliomyelitis virus occurs through human contact, through the scattering of a patient’s stools, dirty hands, and contaminated or undercooked raw food. However, it is entirely possible to avoid this serious illness, while following routine vaccinations and respecting the schedules. It is recommended to wash your hands regularly with clean water and soap before meals and after toileting. It is also recommended to drink filtered water, eat food protected from dirt and use hygienic toilets.
Routine vaccination is a crucial step in a child’s life, especially polio vaccination so that all Malagasy children are protected against deadly, vaccine-preventable diseases. However, this vaccination campaign is not based only on poliomyelitis. There is also a major vaccination catch-up intended for children with zero doses of vaccine or who have received incomplete doses.
This vaccination campaign is a joint collaboration between the Ministry of Public Health, the World Health Organization and Unicef.
Thank you Ida
