The Ministry of Health has expressed optimism of beating the target in the ongoing vaccination campaign for Measles-Rubella (MR), Typhoid vaccine, Polio vaccine and vitamin A supplementation for children.
The seven-day campaign started on Monday, May 15 and is expected to end on May 21, with the vaccinations continuing thereafter routinely.
A media tour conducted by the ministry in some districts in the central and southern region shows that a lot of children within the vaccination age bracket are flocking to the centers.
In Dedza district, Senior Health Surveillance Assistant (SHSA) at Chongoni Health Centre, Austin Chapotera said even though they started on a low note on Monday, they picked up momentum the following day.
“The support has been overwhelming, we have a lot of children coming with their parents and guardians for the vaccinations,” he said.
The Health Center covers 37 villages, with a total population of over 33 000.
“Before we commenced the campaign, we worked with traditional leaders, teachers, religious leaders and politicians in sensitising the masses on the importance of these vaccines, that’s why we have seen a larger turn out of children,” he said, adding that the health center has 12 vaccination centers.
Nurse and Midwife Technician, Sarah Kachala from Nchalo Health Center said the since they started work on Monday, there has been no any resistance from the communities.
“We are registering a good number of children because parents are more aware of dangers of leaving their children unvaccinated. It’s like people were home just waiting for the day when they will have their children vaccinated. We have parents bringing their children and children escorting each other. We will surely vaccinate more children than we anticipated,” she said.
The vaccinations are delivered in all facilities both CHAM and Government, outreach sites, door to door through mobile teams and where possible in some schools.
At the end of the campaign, the ministry is targeting to vaccinate not less than 9 million children.
Ministry of Health Spokesperson, Adrian Chikumbe said with the way the campaign has started, they will have positive outcome.
“The general picture that we have is that we have started well in all the districts, there might be slight challenges here and there but they are not serious ones, they cannot affect the whole campaign, so generally, the picture we have is promising. We are hopeful that we will beat the target,” he said
According to Secretary for Health Dr Samson Mndolo, the campaign shows government’s committment in making sure that infants, toddlers and of course children in general are protected from life threatening and disability causing illnesses.
“There are also vaccines which prevent development of cancer at a later stage in life. For example, young boys and girls risk Human Papilloma Virus disease due to early sexual debut and these risk them future cancers like cervical cancer. It is important that we work together to address these gaps and avoid catastrophic diseases like these. We must safeguard our health no matter the circumstances.
“Take note that, children are supposed to be vaccinated against different diseases and not just once but even several times in their life time. Diseases like Measles, Polio, Typhoid and diseases caused by Vitamin A deficiency are among diseases that are disabling and life-threatening. Imagine a situation where we are not doing anything to prevent these disease – the end result would be health facilities full of patients. As we all know prevention is better that cure,” he said
In Malawi, according World Health Organization (WHO), 11 measles cases were reported in 2022 and 28 cases have already been detected this year.
Malawi joined the rest of the world to commemorate the World Immunisation Week under the theme’ The Big Catch- up” highlighting the need for countries to work tirelessly to reach all under immunized, zero-dosed, and underserved populations with lifesaving vaccines.
Typhoid accounts between 128 000 and 161 000 deaths annually across the globe and disproportionately affects Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa while in Malawi reported about 32 747 cases and 435 deaths.
Of these cases, 61 percent of cases and 65 percent of deaths from typhoid occurs in children less than 15 years of age. Also, the country reports about 120 cases of intestinal perforations from typhoid.
The ministry of health is implementing the campaign with support from GAVI the Vaccine Alliance and technical support from other partners like UNICEF, WHO and PATH.
