Summary:
- Polio is one of the 14 diseases preventable through immunization.
KATAKWI: Katakwi District Local Government has expressed its commitment to vaccinate 95% of children under the age of five against polio.
Polio is one of the 14 diseases preventable through immunization. The Ugandan government, through the Ministry of Health and its implementing partners, has scheduled the polio vaccination campaign for October 3–6, 2024. The vaccination will be administered door-to-door to children under five years old.
During an awareness session with GISOs and PISOs at the District Council Hall on September 27, 2024, Michael Okiror, the District Health Educator, stated that their target is to ensure that 95% of children in Katakwi receive the vaccine.
Okiror expressed optimism, citing the district’s recent success in the Yellow Fever campaign, where Katakwi ranked first nationally in meeting vaccination targets.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration between health professionals and parents to successfully eradicate polio, a highly contagious disease that attacks the nervous system and can cause severe paralysis.
Schools and local council leaders (LC1s) have been called upon to support the campaign.
Deputy RDC, Vincent Savior Okwi, urged religious leaders not to obstruct the vaccination process or oppose it based on religious doctrines.
Rt. Maj. Godfrey Katamba, RDC Katakwi and head of the district’s polio task force, warned local and religious leaders against politicizing the campaign, stating that anyone attempting to sabotage the exercise would face legal action.
He also cautioned health workers to maintain professionalism and avoid hostility to ensure the success of the exercise.
