News / Health
Govt launches Immunisation week
19 Jun 2012 at 04:11hrs | Views
The 2012 measles and polio immunisation days and vitamin A supplementation programme has been launched in Harare this Monday.
Government is targeting to vaccinate over 1,9 million children across the country.
All children five years and below will be vaccinated against polio, while those between nine and fifty nine months will be vaccinated against measles as well as get a dose of Vitamin A supplementation.
Health and Child Welfare Minister, Dr Henry Madzorera vaccinated a number of children and gave a dose of vitamin A to a number of children at the launch, including children belonging to apostolic sects.
"Diseases do not select on the basis of religious affiliation and it is the duty of every adult to ensure that no child die of a preventable disease," he said.
Some religious sects that previously used to shun vaccinating their children have now agreed to participate in the programme.
Union for the Development of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe Africa national coordinator, Bishop Oliver Gwati, says will help the country eradicate the child killer diseases.
Statistics show that about 100 Zimbabwean children die every day from largely preventable diseases a situation which UNICEF country representative, Dr Peter Salama says needs urgent attention.
Between 2009 and 2010, the country experienced a measles outbreak that saw more than eight thousand cases recorded and more than six hundred deaths.
On a positive note, since 1999, Zimbabwe has managed to maintain a polio free status.
A new vaccine which prevents pneumonia and meningitis will be introduced on the 26th of June while another which protects children against diarrhoeal diseases will come on board next year.
Government is targeting to vaccinate over 1,9 million children across the country.
All children five years and below will be vaccinated against polio, while those between nine and fifty nine months will be vaccinated against measles as well as get a dose of Vitamin A supplementation.
Health and Child Welfare Minister, Dr Henry Madzorera vaccinated a number of children and gave a dose of vitamin A to a number of children at the launch, including children belonging to apostolic sects.
"Diseases do not select on the basis of religious affiliation and it is the duty of every adult to ensure that no child die of a preventable disease," he said.
Union for the Development of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe Africa national coordinator, Bishop Oliver Gwati, says will help the country eradicate the child killer diseases.
Statistics show that about 100 Zimbabwean children die every day from largely preventable diseases a situation which UNICEF country representative, Dr Peter Salama says needs urgent attention.
Between 2009 and 2010, the country experienced a measles outbreak that saw more than eight thousand cases recorded and more than six hundred deaths.
On a positive note, since 1999, Zimbabwe has managed to maintain a polio free status.
A new vaccine which prevents pneumonia and meningitis will be introduced on the 26th of June while another which protects children against diarrhoeal diseases will come on board next year.
Source - Zbc
