More than 7.8 million children were vaccinated against polio in Mozambique during the third round of immunization, a number that exceeds the campaign’s target by 110%, Deputy National Director of Health Benigna Matsinhe said.
The same source, quoted this Wednesday by the newspaper Notícias, said that the operation provided for the vaccination of 6.8 million children under 5 years old.
The third round began on July 6 and took place in the ten Mozambican provinces and in the country’s capital.
Mozambique will vaccinate some 6.8 million children against polio
The first phase was launched in March, after polio was detected in neighboring Malawi, and the second took place in April.
In May, the first case in Mozambique since 1992 was confirmed: it appeared in Tete, an inland province that borders Malawi.
Mozambique declares polio outbreak
In both countries, the virus is associated with Pakistan, one of the countries where it is endemic, in addition to Afghanistan.
Poliomyelitis is an incurable infectious disease that mainly affects children under five years of age and can only be prevented by vaccination.
In some cases, it can cause limb paralysis.
Source: Observadora
