Mass Polio immunisation campaign on in 57 districts

Health minister Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye

The Ministry of Health is today 23^rd January beginning a three day mass polio immunization campaign in 57 high risk districts. This house to house campaign which begins today will take 3 days including 24^th and 25^th January 2016.

The exercise is supported by the World Health Organization and UNICEF. The objective of the campaign is to vaccinate at least all children under five years of age whether previously immunized or not, with Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) drops in the mouth in the 57 high risk districts.

The selected high risk districts are; Adjumani, Arua, Buliisa, Busia, Gulu, Isingiro, Kabarole, Kanungu, Kiboga, Kitgum, Kyankwanzi, Agago,Amuru, Bundibugyo, Butaleja, Hoima, Kampala, Kabale, Kasese, Kiryandongo, Koboko, Kyegegwa, Lamwo, Apac, Buikwe, Bugiri, Buvuma, Iganga, Jinja, Kamwenge, Kibaale, Kisoro, Kole, Luwero, Mayuge, Masindi, Lira, Kyenjojo, Maracha, Moyo, Mubende, Yumbe and Zombo.

The mentioned high risk districts were selected based on challenges of low performance in routine immunization, suboptimal polio surveillance indicators, an influx of refugees and massive cross border movements. We shall also use this opportunity to sensitize communities on Acute Flaccid Paralysis surveillance and at the same time identify and investigate any unreported suspected cases of polio.

The vaccination teams will comprise of one health worker and one local council (LC1) official or VHT member.

Vaccination is one of the key strategies that the Government of Uganda Ministry of Health is implementing in its roadmap to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goal four, which is the reduction of child mortality by two thirds. Currently, the sector has made good progress in child immunization increasing from DPT3 coverage of 52% in 2012 to current coverage of 97%.

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