Promoting Polio Vaccination in Mashonaland Central: A Call for Stakeholder Support
As the fourth round of the polio vaccination campaign approaches in Mashonaland Central, Dr Clemence Tshuma, the Provincial Medical Director, has issued a heartfelt call for all stakeholders to rally behind efforts to boost vaccination uptake.
The campaign is set to take place from February 4 to 7, and Dr Tshuma emphasised the critical importance of a united approach to safeguarding children’s health in the region.
Addressing a stakeholder sensitisation meeting on Tuesday, Dr Tshuma voiced concern over growing resistance to polio vaccination in some communities.
Specifically, he pointed to incidents in Bindura’s Mupandira, Matope, and Foothills Suburbs, where some members of religious sects discouraged their followers from allowing their children under the age of 10 to receive the polio vaccine.
This reluctance, he warned, threatens to undermine the significant progress made by the government in eradicating polio.
“We kindly ask these people to step aside and allow people to make their own informed decisions,” Dr Tshuma said, urging the public to recognise the importance of vaccination in maintaining public health.
Polio, a potentially debilitating disease that primarily affects young children, remains a significant public health threat in some regions.
While vaccines are a vital tool in the fight against the disease, misinformation and resistance can slow progress toward complete eradication.
Dr Tshuma stressed that the government’s efforts to combat polio through vaccination are crucial, not just for individual children but for the wider community and the nation.
Echoing this message, Mrs Scholastica Muparutsa, the officer overseeing the Expanded Programme on Immunisation, outlined the goals of the upcoming vaccination campaign.
“Our target is to vaccinate 411,967 children under the age of 10, including newborns,” she said. The team plans to reach children at home and in playgrounds, ensuring that as many children as possible are vaccinated.
In addition to the vaccine administration efforts, Mrs Muparutsa revealed that village healthcare workers would be trained to identify early signs of limb function loss in children, which is often a symptom of polio. This initiative will enhance early detection and intervention, strengthening the region’s efforts to combat the disease.
The collaborative effort from health officials, community leaders, and local stakeholders is vital to the success of this vaccination drive.
Dr Tshuma’s plea to the public to support the vaccination campaign and allow parents to make informed decisions about their children’s health underscores the importance of community involvement in achieving widespread vaccination coverage.
As the fourth round of the polio vaccination campaign draws near, the people of Mashonaland Central are urged to come together and ensure that no child is left behind in the fight against polio.
This coordinated effort will help protect the future of the region’s children, ensuring they grow up in a healthier, polio-free environment.
