Immunization Campaign

Coordinator of Morobe’s Family Health Services, Sr Patricia Mitiel-Gahanao, is appealing to residents to ensure the safety of her team as they strive to increase the province’s immunisation coverage for the next three weeks.

“Bifo, mi wanpla victim blo displa, ol nes we ol sa ronim ol, ol sa sutim ol lo ston,” she said. (I was a victim of instances where nurses are chased or stoned.)

Parents are encouraged to bring their children – from 0 to 5 years – to the nearest clinic to protect them from vaccine preventable diseases.

Sr Patricia Mitiel-Gahanao looks after Family Health Services in the province, which immunisation also falls under.

She described this supplementary immunisation activity as a “preventative campaign” to boost the low coverage rate in the country.

“We want all our children, 0 months to 5 years, to receive two drops of polio vaccine, and 6 months to 5 years to receive the measles-rubella injection and Vitamin A capsules.

The launch event was held at Liamo, and the program is scheduled to run for the next 20 days.

During his presentation on the Immunization program, World Health Organization representative, Dr. Ganett, stressed the importance of aiming to reach a target of 85 percent immunization. In the two previous records, WNB had only reached 36 percent and 21 percent, respectively.

He emphasized that the Supplementary Advocacy Program was a critical step to officially launch the Supplementary Vaccination program in support of the national vaccination campaign.