By Foibe Paavo
SWAKOPMUND, Aug. 9 — The National Integrated Vaccination campaign that was launched by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila with an aim to prevent childhood diseases such as polio, diarrheal diseases, whooping cough and others – has kicked off in the country’s 14 regions.
The campaign started on 08 August to prevent the possible spread of childhood diseases and is expected to take place countrywide until 19 August 2022.
According to the Ministry of Health and Social Services, the campaign will immunise children between nine months and under five years against measles and rubella and other diseases.
“Children found to be suffering from malnutrition will be provided with vitamin A supplements and Ready Use Therapeutic Foods.”
Women of childbearing ages will also be offered tetanus toxoid vaccination and iron supplements.
Vaccination against COVID-19 will also be offered to persons aged 12 years and above during the campaign.
Services included during the vaccination period are a treatment of severe malnutrition with Ready to Use, Provision of Vitamin A, and Albendazole, nutrition screening and measurement of Mid -Upper-Arm Circumference (MUAC) for children; Therapeutic Food; Medically screening and vaccinating children who missed other routine immunization doses; Pregamal (ferrous fumarate) to pregnant women; and COVID-19 vaccination.
