Government has achieved the 95 percent vaccination target countrywide aimed at protecting children against measles and polio, an official said on Monday. At least 8 000 cases and more than 500 deaths were recorded countrywide in the 2010 measles outbreak.
Official statistics show that close to 100 children die of largely preventable diseases in the country everyday.
Health and Child Welfare Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control Dr Portia Manangazira said coverage for all three interventions indicated that objectives were met.
“Preliminary results shows that 102 percent of children from 9 to 59 months were vaccinated for measles, 112 percent of children from 0 to 59 months were vaccinated for polio while 95 percent of children between the age of six to 59 months were supplemented with vitamin A,” she said.
Dr Manangazira said the achievement was a result of proper planning and increased publicity of the programme.
“Campaigns were well organised, vaccines and supplies distributed well ahead of implementation with funds disbursed to provinces well on time,” she said.
She said collaboration with partners, traditional and apostolic sectors were also noted during the immunisation days.
“There was an overwhelming involvement from traditional leaders like village heads who would monitor to ensure children in their constituencies were going for vaccinations,” she said.
Dr Manangazira said coverage data was not yet official and needed validation after revisiting target population.
This year’s campaign targeted 1,9 million children in the 0 to 59 months age group with the measles and polio vaccination plus vitamin A supplementation. — New Ziana.