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Ashley Phiri, ashleyphiri66@gmail.com
THE City of Bulawayo is gearing up for Round four of the National Novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) campaign from February 4 to February 7, 2025.
The initiative, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and various partners, aims to vaccinate at least 95 percent of children aged zero to 10 years.
The urgency of this campaign comes in response to global health concerns surrounding polio, a disease that can lead to paralysis and even death.
Despite being eradicated in many parts of the world, pockets of the virus remain active and recent data suggest an increase in cases in some regions.
The nOPV2 vaccine, a new formulation designed to combat specific strains of the virus, is crucial for safeguarding children and preventing the spread of polio.
In the previous nOPV2 Round three campaign, conducted from November 26 to November 29, 2024, Bulawayo achieved remarkable success, reaching a vaccination coverage of 106 percent.
In a statement, Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube, said this achievement is largely attributed to the community’s high-risk perception and proactive engagement in the health initiative.
“The target is to vaccinate at least 95 percent of the children. In the nOPV2 Round three campaign conducted from the 26th to the 29th of November 2024, the city of Bulawayo attained a coverage of 106 percent, surpassing the expected target of 95 percent. The success was mainly attributed to the community’s high risk perception,” he said.
Local health officials are optimistic that the same level of participation can be achieved in the upcoming campaign.
Vaccinations will be administered at various locations to ensure accessibility. Parents can take their children to municipal clinics, central hospitals, Mater Dei Hospital, selected private surgeries, crèches, primary schools, market places, churches, bus termini and through outreach points, including house-to-house visits.
“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,” epidemiologist Dr Munekayi Padingani said.
The City of Bulawayo is calling on community leaders, educators and health workers to mobilise families to participate in the vaccination campaign.