Malawi launches polio vaccination campaign

Ministry of Health and Sanitation has launched a polio vaccination campaign targeting all children aged below 10 following the confirmation of a case of a seven-year-old from Makhetha in Blantyre. The first phase of the campaign starts from February 11 to 14 in eight districts, namely Blantyre, Mwanza, Neno, Chikwawa, Nsanje, Thyolo, Zomba and Chiradzulu. Ministry of Health and Sanitation identified the virus as circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) which has also been found in samples collected from two sewage treatment plants within Blantyre.

Speaking on the sidelines of the launch, Ministry of Health and Sanitation deputy director of expanded programme on immunisation Mike Chisema said Malawi has procured 1.7 million doses with the first phase expected to reach about 1.4 million children. He said that after Wild Polio Virus type 2 was declared eradicated in 2015, Malawi and other countries around the globe switched in 2016 from vaccine that protects against all three polio types to vaccine that protects types 1 and 3. Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation Charles Chilambula, who presided over the launch, urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated and prevent the risk of paralysis.

After the first phase, the vaccination campaign will be expanded to all districts nationwide. Meanwhile, the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have commended Malawi for swiftly mounting a response following the declaration of polio as a public health emergency on January 27. Unicef Malawi chief of health Joe Opio said the agency and other partners are supporting the government to bring vaccines to the country and ensure availability of necessary resources to respond to the outbreak.

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WHO Malawi disease prevention and control lead Akosua Ayisi said the country has demonstrated strong commitment by activating the incidence management system and putting in place immediate response measures as per the guidelines of the global community. During the launch, Unicef with support from vaccine alliance Gavi handed over 300 motorcycles to Malawi Government for distribution to districts, with Blantyre receiving 17.

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