Since October 2013, Cameroon is experiencing a poliomyelitis epidemic. In response, the eighth round of immunisation against the contagious disease in children of between 0 and 59 months, will kick off on September 19, 2014.

The vaccination campaign that will be carried out in two phases by a medical team, will be undertaken in households, markets, churches, motor parks, schools, tollgates and all communities in the Littoral Region. The first phase runs from September 19 to 21 while the second will be from October 31 to November 2.

In a briefing with newsmen, the Interim Regional Delegate of Public Health, Dr. Ekoum Joseph, said the present campaign concerns all children of the target group. The target is to reach all 602,122 children of below 0-59 months in the region. The world objective is to completely wipe out the disease from the surface of the earth by 2018.

Parents are advised to ensure that their children, including those who were previously administered the polio vaccine, do receive the two drops of vaccine again. Public health authorities used the opportunity to call on parents to always find out to know what the vaccination is for, because past experiences show that most parents don’t know what vaccine their children received.

About the National Synchronised Immunisation Days against Poliomyelitis coming up again, the Interim Delegate explained that regular vaccination is important as a protective measure against disease resistance.

Reason why he urged expectant mothers to vaccinate themselves, and parents to continue to go with children of between 0 and 12 months for free immunisation in health centres after the present campaign.