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FIGHT AGAINST POLIO: WUM HEALTH AREA ON STARTING BLOCK.


The Government of Cameroon is organizing  two rounds of vaccination campaign in response to the polio epidemic from May 13 to 16 and June 10 to 13, 2022, all over the national territory.

This campaign follows the confirmation of cases of circulating derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in a dozen of African countries including Cameroon. The campaign will be conducted in a synchronized manner with the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad and Niger.

Vaccination will take place in health facilities, in households through the door-to- door strategy and also in public places such as schools, markets, chiefdoms and religious gathering.

During this period, vaccination teams will administer two drops of oral polio vaccine to children aged 0 to 5 years, vitamin A to children aged 6 months to 5 years, and worm medicine to children 1 to 5 years. In addition, children aged 0 to 3 months without a birth certificate will be counted and their parents guided to a civil status registration.

As a prelude to the vaccination, Social Mobilizers will visit households to inform and sensitize parents on the importance of the various interventions.

The Minister of Public Health therefore invites parents and the entire community to have their children vaccinated and to respect their vaccination calendar.

Together, let’s mobilize for the health and well-being of our children!

 



AIM OF THE CAMPAIGN

The aim of this campaign is to strengthen herd immunity in children under five (05) years of age against circulating poliovirus derivative type 2 by administering the Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 to all children in this age group to thereby stop the circulation.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CAMPAIGN

• Vaccinate 100% of children under 5 years.

• Ensure that at least 95% of parents are effectively informed about polio and the response campaigns before the vaccinators come.

• Active search and reporting of cases of acute flaccid paralysis in the community;

• Ensure efficient vaccine management by returning 100% of nVPO2 vials at the end of the campaign; Vitamin A supplementation for children aged 6 months to

5 years.

• Deworming of children aged 12 months to 5 years.

• Conduct a count of children aged 0-3 months without a birth certificate and refer them for civil registration

 

PERIOD AND DURATION OF THE CAMPAIGN

The first round will run from 13 to 16 May 2022 and the second from 10 to 13 June 2022.

 

LOCALITIES CONCERNED BY THE CAMPAIGN

All the 197 Health Districts in all ten Regions.

 


WHAT IS POLIO?

It is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the poliovirus. This virus is transmitted through contaminated water or food or contact with an infected person. Children under 5 years are the most affected. The poliovirus causes irreversible paralysis of the limbs. The paralyzed child becomes a burden to his or her family, community, and country.

 

WHO IS MORE LIKELY TO GET POLIO?

The polio virus usually affects children under 5 years of age who are not immunized. It can also affect unvaccinated adolescents and adults

HOW IS POLIO TRANSMITTED?

The polio virus infects the body through the mouth while eating contaminated food or drinking water contaminated with the stool of a person carrying the poliovirus

 

HOW IMPORTANT IS POLIO VACCINATION?

Vaccination is the best way to prevent polio. It is highly effective in protecting the child.

The vaccine to be used in this campaign is the new oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2). This vaccine is most appropriate for responding to outbreaks of circulating poliovirus-derived type 2.

It is safe to give multiple injections of vaccines in one session.

 


IS THERE A TREATMENT FOR POLIO PARALYSIS?

No, paralysis is irreversible. It can however be prevented by vaccination.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO TO AVOID POLIO?

It is necessary to:

•   Vaccinate all children in mass campaigns and during routine immunization to boost individual and group immunity;

•   Observe the following hygiene measures:

•   Wash hands regularly with clean running water and soap/ash;

•   Boil non-portable water before consumption or use another method of water treatment;

•   Wash fruits and vegetables with clean water before eating;

•   Defecate in latrines or toilets

•   Do not swim in standing water;

Report any case of sudden paralysis to the nearest health facility.

 

WHAT IS ORAL POLIO VACCINE (OPV)?

OPV is one of the presentations of the polio vaccine. It is given orally in health centres as two drops of vaccine at birth, at 1.5 months, at 2.5 months and at 3.5 months. The vaccine is also used in mass vaccination campaigns for children aged 0-5 years.

 

WHAT IS INACTIVATED POLIO VACCINE (IPV)?

IPV is the alternative presentation of the polio vaccine. It is administered to infants aged 3.5 months in health centres and other sites identified by health staff. The administration of OPV and IPV is used to strengthen polio control. Hence the formula:

OPV + IPV = «Strengthening Polio Control.



WHAT TO DO AFTER A CHILD HAS AN ADVERSE REACTION TO VACCINATION?

Adverse reactions after a vaccine are normal and temporal. However, if they persist, the child should be taken to the nearest health centre.

«PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE »

Vaccination is the most effective way to protect children from vaccine-preventable diseases. To ensure that the child is fully protected from birth, the appointments set out in the immunization schedule from 0 to 23 months of age must be respected.

PHOTO CREDIT (C) UNICEF

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