Polio jabs despite no case ‘precautionary’
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has launched a nationwide polio vaccination campaign following virus detections in sewage and a formal outbreak declaration despite no cases. The last reported cases of polio in the country occurred in 2006. Traces of the virus were, however, recently detected in sewage ponds at Rundu and Gobabis. The […] The post Polio jabs despite no case ‘precautionary’ appeared first on The Namibian.
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The Ministry of Health and Social Services has launched a nationwide polio vaccination campaign following virus detections in sewage and a formal outbreak declaration despite no cases.
The last reported cases of polio in the country occurred in 2006.
Traces of the virus were, however, recently detected in sewage ponds at Rundu and Gobabis.
The latest vaccination roll-out started on Monday and will run until Friday.
Minister of health and social services Esperance Luvindao declared a polio outbreak earlier this month, saying the virus is actively circulating in the country.
Former health minister Richard Kamwi says one case constitutes an outbreak and the nation needs to continue with the vaccination campaign.
“There is no contradiction to it. It can affect Namibia. It is best for us to be on the safe side,” he says.
The last cases reported in 2006 were detected almost exclusively among people between the age of 15 and 45.
Thirty five cases were reported during that outbreak, with 11 deaths.
At the time the virus was genetically related to a case detected in Angola in 2005, which had been imported from India.
The World Health Organisation at the time said the outbreak was likely due to immunity gaps among adults who were inadequately vaccinated during childhood.
During a Regional Government Information Centre session hosted at Swakopmund last week, senior medical officer for primary healthcare at Walvis Bay Julia Muuteyapo said the low immunisation coverage remains a key concern.
“Polio is only preventable by vaccination. We need to make sure children receive all the required doses to develop strong immunity,” she said.
Muuteyapo explained that the failure to complete vaccination schedules has created an “immunity gap”, leaving some children vulnerable.
“If children do not receive all their vaccinations, they are not fully protected. That is where the risk lies,” she said.
She said one dose provides about 65% protection, while the second increases protection to around 85%.
While no human polio cases have been recorded, primary healthcare supervisor Cornelius Nuunyango says the virus is present in the environment.
“Even though no person has tested positive, vaccinated children are protected against the circulating virus and can fight it off,” he says.
Risk communication and community engagement officer Josephina Haimbodi calls on communities to cooperate with healthcare teams, especially during door-to-door campaigns.
“We encourage families to allow vaccinators into their homes. When every child is vaccinated, the entire community becomes protected,” she says.
– Additional reporting: Ministry of Information and Communication Technology Erongo regional office.
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