The Ashanti Regional Health Directorate is set to begin the second phase of polio vaccination for children under five years after successfully completing the first phase.
The exercise, expected to start on Thursday November 21 will end on Sunday November 24, 2024.
The Health Directorate emphasized on the need to vaccinate at least 95% of children in the country against the disease.
“Our agenda of eradicating Polio is in jeopardy with current happening of outbreaks of vaccine derived poliovirus. The only way to break transmission is by vaccinating children under five and we in the Ashanti Region are looking at a target population of 1,042,361 children”, Ashanti Regional Health Director, Dr Fred Adomako Boateng stated at a media briefing.
Polio (poliomyelitis) mainly affects children under 5 years of age.
“One in 200 infections leads to irreversible paralysis. Among those paralyzed, 5-10% die when their breathing muscles become immobilized.
“And in some instances, the child is unable to move certain limbs, also called paralysis even into adulthood affecting the quality of life and at times the potential for other activities”, Dr Adomako Boateng disclosed.
Parents and guardians have therefore been entreated to avail their children for the exercise for a lifetime protection against polio and its associated consequences.
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