By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Keta (VR) Nov. 20, GNA – The Second phase of polio vaccination would begin in Keta in the Volta Region for children between the ages of zero to 59 months.
The aim of the vaccination was to eradicate and protect children against polio and other communicable diseases in the various communities in the area.
Madam Dora Kugbonu, the Public Health Promotion Officer, at the Keta Health Directorate, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, stated that other objective of the vaccination exercise was to mitigate the spread of polio in the country.
“The second phase of the polio vaccination will commence on Thursday, November 21, to Sunday, November 24. Our target is to record zero polio disease in the Keta Municipality,” she stated.
She noted that it was mandatory for all children who received the doses during the first phase of the vaccination to take part in the second phase to strengthen their immune system against many other diseases.
She said the target was to get a total number of 14,730 children vaccinated against polio during the stipulated period and parents and the public should collaborate with health teams to achieve the target.
Madam Kugbonu said that “let us vaccinate our children under five against polio, vaccination teams will visit homes from November 21 to 24. Don’t let your children to miss out because the vaccines are safe and effective for all children, let us protect children today for better future.”
She said the Keta Health Directorate had attained 100 per cent record in the phase of the vaccination, which was held in October, but further information gathered indicated that some children within the municipality could not still received the doses.
She appealed to all parent to urgently prioritise the health of children and get them vaccinated against polio disease to prevent paralysis and, encouraged community members to assist the health workers for a successful exercise, which would be held from 0600 hours to 1700 hours daily.
Landmarks which include churches, schools, mosques, markets, offices, households, hotels, among others, would be visited during the exercise to administer the vaccine to the children, she said.
Madam Kugbonu said the vaccine was free and charged parents and the public to report any child that would show a sign of sudden paralysis or limb weakness to the nearest health centre within the shortest possible time, to prevent further spread and damages.
GNA