By GINNAH MINI
Reports have shown that there are a low number of children in the National Capital District being vaccinated for poliovirus.
Minister for Health, Elias Kapavore, raised this concern during the signing ceremony for the Project for Control and Eradication of Poliomyelitis.
“I have just being briefed that there’s a new infection derived polio virus that’s been detected again in NCD this year,” Mr Kapavore said.
“It’s not affecting any of our children yet, but it’s also an indication of a low coverage of immunization of polio vaccination in this part of the country.”
He added that there had been a low number of vaccinated children in NCD and is urging parents with children under the age of five to get vaccinated in their nearest hospitals and clinics.
The Health Minister said children who were not vaccinated were vulnerable to polio and could be paralyzed.
He added that the National Capital District was leading in the detection of poliovirus.
Acting head of the World Health Organization PNG Office, Dr Josaia Tiko highlighted the results of the polio vaccination in the country.
“During the first round of the Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIA), our joined efforts reached 83.2% coverage with 1.9 million children vaccinated with a novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (NOPV2),” Dr Tiko said.
“In the second round, we maintain this momentum, reaching 83.8% of the target, NOPV2 while also achieving 87.1% or 2.3 million children with a Fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (FIPV).”
He added that efforts done in the first and second round had significantly closed immunity gaps that the virus seemed to exploit.
The Japan Grant of approximately K18 million will fund the recommended third round of SIA targeting the highest risk provinces to interrupt any remaining chances of transmission.
Through the collective efforts of healthcare workers and partners, they are working towards healthier children and families in PNG.