Mbale, (UG):- The Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of polio in eastern Uganda’s Mbale City, with warnings that the disease could spread to neighbouring districts due to frequent cross-border movements and thus launched a house-to-house immunization campaign to curb the spread of the virus.
According to a brief message confirming the outbreak, the Ministry, in collaboration with partners including UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) said the first round of the campaign is set to begin on Thursday, October 3rd, and will run until Sunday, October 6th, 2024.
“It will target 49 districts across several regions including Busoga, Bugisu, Bukedi, Teso, Sebei, and Karamoja. Children aged five years and below are the focus of the immunization effort,” the message shared widely on Tuesday in audio-visual format reads.
“Health workers will visit homes, workplaces, schools, daycare centres, places of worship, and other community gathering points to ensure that all children in the age group are vaccinated.”
The Ministry of Health therefore urges parents and caregivers to cooperate with health workers by allowing them access to their homes and ensuring their children receive the polio vaccine.
“This campaign is vital to safeguarding our children from the devastating effects of polio,” the Ministry’s message read. “We remind parents that this door-to-door campaign complements, but does not replace routine immunization efforts.”
According to the Health Ministry, the polio vaccine being administered is safe, effective, and provided at no cost and thus encourages all caregivers to ensure their children are vaccinated during both rounds of the immunization campaign, which are essential to controlling the outbreak and preventing further spread.
“The Ministry advises the public to stay informed through official channels and cooperate fully with health workers during the campaign.”
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