By Eumu Emmanuel
The Ministry of Health has confirmed an outbreak of polio in Mbale City, located in eastern Uganda, raising concerns about the potential spread to neighboring districts due to frequent cross-border movements. In response, the ministry has launched a house-to-house immunization campaign to curb the virus’s transmission.
In a statement released in collaboration with UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Health announced that the first round of the immunization drive will commence on Thursday, October 3rd, 2024, and will run until Sunday, October 6th, 2024. The campaign targets 49 districts across various regions, including Busoga, Bugisu, Bukedi, Teso, Sebei, and Karamoja, with a focus on vaccinating children aged five years and below.
“Health workers will visit homes, workplaces, schools, daycare centers, places of worship, and other community gatherings to ensure all children within the targeted age group are vaccinated,” the ministry stated in an audio-visual message shared on Tuesday. Parents and caregivers are urged to cooperate by granting health workers access to their homes and ensuring their children receive the polio vaccine.
“This campaign is crucial in safeguarding our children from the devastating effects of polio,” the ministry emphasized. It further reminded parents that the door-to-door immunization effort complements, rather than replaces, routine vaccination schedules.
The Ministry of Health has reassured the public that the polio vaccine being administered is both safe and effective. The vaccine is provided at no cost, and parents are encouraged to ensure their children participate in both rounds of the immunization campaign, which are essential in controlling the current outbreak and preventing further spread.
The ministry also advised the public to stay informed through official channels and to fully cooperate with health workers during the campaign to ensure its success in protecting children from the highly infectious disease.