CONGO TOWN/MONROVIA: The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health (MOH) and its partners will officially launch a Nationwide Campaign on Novel Oral Polio Vaccine(nOPV2), from the 10th to 13th of May, 2024.
The launch, which will take place across all 15 counties, marks a crucial step towards eradicating polio.
Children aged 0-59 months, encompassing the most vulnerable age group, will be the primary beneficiaries of this vaccination campaign.
The nationwide launch will ensure that children across all regions of Liberia have access to this lifesaving vaccine. The Novel Oral Polio Vaccine strategy will be a House-to-House delivery, and approximately 8,020 children will be vaccinated.
The new novel Oral Polio vaccine is expected to provide enhanced protection against polio and minimize the risk of vaccine-derived poliovirus spreading in the community. It has been developed with the support of global health organizations and experts to ensure its safety and efficacy.
As part of the launch, the Ministry of Health will deploy about 1,776 healthcare workers, mobile vaccination teams, and vaccination sites nationwide. The nationwide campaign will aim to reach every child within the targeted age range, irrespective of their location.
The Minister of Health Dr. Louise M. Kpoto expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming nationwide vaccination campaign.
She emphasized the importance of the nOPV2 vaccine in the country’s efforts to combat polio.
The launch of the Novel Oral Polio Vaccine is a major milestone for Liberia in the quest to eradicate polio. This safe and effective vaccine is a result of the initiatives taken by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in collaboration with various stakeholders.
However, the nOPV launch is anticipated to bridge these gaps and provide comprehensive protection against polio for every child in Liberia.
The vaccine is significant in controlling the spread of poliovirus type 2, which is essential for achieving global eradication of polio and preventing outbreaks of the disease.
The launch of the Novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 in Liberia represents a significant step forward in the global efforts to eliminate polio.
Through the unrelenting dedication and collaboration of partners, Liberia, like many other countries, is getting closer to achieving a polio-free future for its child.
This momentous occasion serves as a reminder of the invaluable impact that vaccines have on public health and highlights the collective determination to rid the world of polio once and for all.
Meanwhile, the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) of the Ministry of Health, Republic of Liberia, along with its partners, began active working sessions at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on the Capitol Bypass in Monrovia on May 1, 2024.
This initiative aligns with the technical plans leading up to the distribution of the upcoming Novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 (nOPV2).
The EOC will serve as a central hub for coordinating and implementing the vaccination campaign, ensuring effective logistical and operational support.
The collaboration of the EPI and its partners at the EOC demonstrates a dedicated effort to plan and execute a successful immunization program, ultimately working towards the eradication of polio in Liberia.
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