About 585,691 children under the age of 5 are expected to receive supplementary novel oral Polio type 2 vaccinations across the Central Region.
The exercise is scheduled to be conducted in two phases with the first phase commencing from September 1 to September 4 and the second phase from October 6 to October 9, 2022.
According to the Regional Health Directorate, supplementary Polio Immunization has become necessary due to an increased “circulating vaccine-derived Polio virus type 2” (CvDPV2) in the country and in other neighboring countries.
So far, 10 out of 16 regions in Ghana have reported outbreaks of this virus, hence the immunization activities will help enhance the population’s immunity against polio type 2 in the region.
Addressing the media ahead of the exercise, the Regional Director of Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Akosua Agyeiwaa Owusu- Sarpong, indicated that the Polio viruses are caused by prolonged low vaccinations in children under less than 5 years coupled with poor environmental sanitation.
She stressed that receiving the oral polio vaccine type 2 in the correct dose is the most effective approach to prevent the spread of the virus.
“The objective of the two rounds of immunization days is to stop the transmission of circulating vaccine-derived Polio virus type 2, by raising population immunity against polio type 2, strengthening community surveillance on polio, and preventing further polio outbreaks” She continued.
Dr. Akosua Agyeiwaa Owusu- Sarpong indicated that the vaccine has received authorization from the WHO and Ghana Food and Drugs Authority for use in Ghana.
As such, she urged caregivers to ensure their wards who fall within the age range are vaccinated.
Poliomyelitis is a disease caused primarily by three types of wild Polio viruses- type 1, 2, and 3 and these viruses result in paralysis of the limbs and sometimes death. Fortunately, in 2015 and 2019, the wild Polio virus type 2 and 3 respectively were declared globally eradicated by the World health organization.
The Polio virus type 1 is currently endemic in 2 countries; Afghanistan and Pakistan. Globally the objective is to eradicate polio in all forms by 2023 through the implementation of Polio endgame strategic plan.
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Source: Emmanuella Gyamfi/ATLFMNEWS
