Madagascar vaccinates millions of children to fight polio outbreak
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The Ministry of Public Health in Madagascar vaccinated nearly 5.7 million children during a national campaign from 5 to 9 October.
This effort targeted a resurgence of the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1, which authorities identified in 26 cases across the country since late April. Dr. Paubert Tsivahiny of the Expanded Programme on Immunization stated that the 26 cases include instances of acute flaccid paralysis and children identified through environmental surveillance and community contacts.
While the oral vaccine reached a 96.8% coverage rate among the 5,878,615 children targeted, the injectable vaccine reached 83.4% of its target population. The ministry noted that vitamin A administration remains a challenge, reaching only 48% of the intended children. Health officials plan a catch-up vaccination campaign from 24 to 27 November. This phase will focus on districts where the coverage rate fell below 95% or where polio cases were reported.
The ministry aims to reach 100% coverage for the oral vaccine and urged parents to cooperate with community health agents to ensure every child receives necessary treatment.
