Authorities optimistic about integrated immunisation targets
The Ministry of Health is optimistic that it has reached its target for the integrated mass immunisation campaign against Typhoid, Polio, Measles and Rubella.
The Campaign which started on Monday last week targeted Children of various ages from day old to 14 years.
Malawi in collaboration with other partners such as the World health organisation and PATH, GAVI, Vaccine Alliance and UNICEF launched a 7-day integrated immunization campaign against Polio, Measles, Typhoid and Rubella.
According to the Ministry of health spokesperson Adrian Chikumbe, the target was to reach not less than 9 million children nationwide by the end of the campaign on Sunday.
‘’We are certain we will meet the target because we are using health centres and Schools centres unlike in the past where we were using door to door system which is cumbersome due to long distances,’’ said Chikumbe.
Meanwhile, Chikumbe reveals Children who will miss the current exercise due to various reasons, will be reached during a mop up campaign.
‘’We are aware that some Children will be missed during this campaign hence the mop up campaign whose aim is to ensure that no child misses out as well as meet the target,’’ added Chikumbe.
The mop up exercise is expected to start after evaluation of the initial campaign.
Currently, Malawi has recorded two cases of Polio, one in Lilongwe and another one in Blantyre.
Key strategies that had been deployed include static clinics, outreach Clinics and temporary sites while Door to Door strategy was used based on judgment to reach those living very far away.
Meanwhile, the health authorities and other key stakeholders that were involved in the campaign are working on consolidating data, to come up with a report on how many children have been reached.
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