Tanzania to vaccinate millions of children against polio

The Tanzanian authorities say they will commence vaccination of about 3 million children against polio in a bid to end viral disease. The WHO declared Tanzania polio-free in November 2015 but a resurgence has forced the country to opt for fresh inoculation exercise…

Tanzania’s Health Ministry announced on Friday that more than 3 million children will be vaccinated against polio as authorities aim to stem the spread of the devastating viral disease after its comeback there after seven years.

According to a ministry release, the immunization campaign will take place from September 21 to September 24 in the regions of Rukwa, Katavi, Mbeya, Kagera, Songwe, and Kigoma.

During the four-day campaign, 5,291 health service professionals will be deployed in the areas, with three service providers in each team. Vaccination services will be provided at healthcare centers, through door-to-door visits, at schools, and in other community gathering places such as houses of worship.

Tanzania’s health minister, Ummy Mwalimu, told reporters that the decision to commence the immunization push came after the government got concerning news on May 26, 2023.

A one-year-and-eleven-month-old kid displayed symptoms of abrupt paralysis, necessitating rapid care.

The World Health Organization (WHO), said polio is a highly contagious disease that primarily affects young children and assaults the nerve system, resulting in spinal and respiratory paralysis and, in some cases, death.

The global health body declared Tanzania polio-free in November 2015. The current comeback, however, highlights the continued hurdles in eradicating this debilitating disease, needing a rapid and extensive immunization program.