Friday, January 9, 2009

Give polio vaccine to all under-fives

Millions of children throughout the world suffer infantile paralysis due to poliomyelitis. The whole global community is trying to eradicate polio. The world saw polio cases in 125 countries in 1988, and only four countries in 2008.
Myanmar has conducted vaccination campaigns every year since 1978. At first,children were vaccinated against diphtheria,whooping cough, tetanus and TB. Then, polio,measles and hepatitis (B) vaccines were also given to children.
The Ministry of Health regularly gives vaccines and holds National Immunization Days across the nation including border and rural areas in order that children do not fall victim to polio.
Polio vaccines were given to underfives on the National Immunization Days held in November and December 2007.The first time covered more than 98 per cent, and the second time, over 97 per cent.
National Immunization Days for 2009 will be held soon. Polio vaccines will be given to more than seven million under-lives of 325 townships from 10 to 12 January in the first stage, and from 7 to 9 February in the second stage.
Polio disease is caused by poliovirus,and it makes victims have their legs and hands atrophied. The viral infections spread person to person primarily via excrement.Here, a notable point is that a person can be infected with poliovirus through food and water that are contaminated with poliovirus through human waste of a victim.
All mothers and regional social associations have to work together to ensure giving polio vaccines to each and every underfive on National Immunization Days in order that all under-fives are free from the disease.

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