Nationwide ‘Round 4 Polio Vaccination’ blitz kicks off

THE Ministry of Health and Child Care has launched a nationwide “Round 4 Polio Vaccination” blitz, aiming to immunise children aged 0-10 years against polio.

The campaign, which started on Tuesday, has received an overwhelming response from communities, with parents and guardians eagerly bringing their children to various vaccination points.

In Bulawayo, public health centres, schools and selected public points are buzzing with activity as health teams administer the vaccine.

The same enthusiasm is evident in other provinces, including rural areas, where hundreds of children are being vaccinated.

Health workers report that parents are eager to protect their children from polio, which can cause paralysis and death in severe cases.

The vaccination exercise will run until Friday, aiming to immunise at least 95 percent of children in the targeted age group.

“It is vital for every parent to take this opportunity to protect their children against polio. We urge the community to come together, utilise the available resources, and ensure that every child receives the vaccine,” said epidemiologist Dr Munekayi Padingani.

The campaign is part of the National Novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) initiative, which targets specific strains of the poliovirus, particularly type 2. This strain has been linked to outbreaks in various regions.

In the previous nOPV2 campaign, conducted from November 26 to November 29, 2024, Bulawayo achieved remarkable success, reaching a vaccination coverage of 106 percent. Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube, attributed this achievement to the community’s heightened awareness of health risks and proactive participation in health initiatives.

Local health officials are optimistic that a similar level of engagement can be realised in the ongoing campaign. Vaccinations are being administered at accessible locations, including municipal clinics, hospitals, schools, marketplaces and churches.

In Bulilima District, Matabeleland South province, villagers gathered at a shopping centre, where children as young as a few months old received their polio drops.

At nearby Mbonqane Primary School, health officials vaccinated hundreds of children by noon on Tuesday, with parents showing overwhelming support for the initiative.

A nursing official shared with the Chronicle news crew that they received overwhelming support from parents bringing their children for vaccination.