Ministry of Health extends vaccination campaigns in the face of low adherence

The Ministry of Health decided to extend the immunization campaigns against poliomyelitis and the multi-vaccination campaign until the end of the month, given the low adherence. The campaigns started on August 8th and would run until next Friday (9th).

Almost a month after the start of the campaign against poliomyelitis, only 35% of children aged 1 to 4 years old had the vaccine, according to data from the ministry. The goal is to vaccinate 95% of the target audience, about 14.5 million people.

The PNI (National Immunization Program) recommends polio vaccination of children from 2 months to under 5 years of age.

The regimen consists of two injection doses at 2 and 4 months of age and one drop at 6 months. After that, the child should take a booster dose at 15 months and another at 4 years of age.

The disease, also called infantile paralysis, causes the nervous system to be compromised, leading to limb paralysis and changes in movement. In some cases, it can be fatal.

Poliomyelitis was eradicated from the country in 1994, but the low vaccination coverage and the growth of anti-vaccination movements worry authorities and experts in the field.

The multi-vaccination campaign seeks to encourage the updating of the vaccination booklet of children and young people up to 15 years of age.

There are 18 PNI vaccines available, such as the triple viral, tetra viral, penta valent, yellow fever, HPV, OPV, meningococcal C, and hepatitis A and B.

In an attempt to increase vaccination coverage, 38,000 vaccination posts were opened across the country on D-Day of the National Vaccination Campaign, on August 20.

The two vaccination campaigns coincide with that of Covid-19. According to the ministry, vaccines can be administered simultaneously or with any interval in the population from three years of age.