Tawonga Chisale and Ellah Chirwa:
About 287,000 children in Karonga are estimated to have been vaccinated and received Vitamin A supplements during the vaccination campaign period held last week.
Karonga District Coordinator for Vaccination, Elias Phiri said the campaign targeted 287, 000 with the aim of reducing the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases and Vitamin A deficiency among children aged between 0 to 15 years old.
“We were able to reach our target because we focused on schools, health centres, and all villages where apart from giving Vitamin A, we also provided typhoid, measles, rubella, and polio vaccinations,” Phiri said.
He however said the vaccinations and Vitamin A supplements are still available in all health facilities in the district this week to those who did not have access during the campaign.
Head Teacher for Baka Primary School, Joyce Kapepa said most of the learners from her school got the Vitamin A supplements and got vaccinated.
Kapepa said the development will help protect the learners from preventable illnesses which end up affecting class turn-up.
She appealed to parents and guardians to ensure that all their children get the supplements and are vaccinated.
Meanwhile, Senior Chief Kalonga has commended the Ministry of Health for the successful activity conducted in the district saying many children from his area have benefitted from the exercise.
He has since urged parents to ensure all children get the supplements and are vaccinated.
