The campaign, covering eight districts, aims to protect the country’s youngest and most vulnerable children before the virus has a chance to spread.
The World Health Organisation has stressed that vaccinating all eligible children is critical to eradicating polio, warning that even a single unvaccinated child can sustain transmission. Frontline health workers have been deployed across the targeted districts, going door to door and setting up temporary vaccination points to encourage full participation.
However, cultural and religious beliefs continue to pose challenges. Malawi’s Deputy Health Minister Charles Chilambula said some families still refuse vaccines due to entrenched beliefs that discourage hospital visits or medical interventions.
“There are some religions that do not believe in going to the hospital, and there are some cultures that do not believe in vaccination or visiting health facilities. These are some of the things that still expose children to these viruses, including polio,” Chilambula said.
Health authorities say the detection of poliovirus in wastewater is a warning sign that transmission may be occurring silently within communities. Although no clinical cases have been confirmed, Malawi’s Ministry of Health and international partners have moved swiftly, emphasising that early action is essential to prevent outbreaks.
Chilambula said the government remains committed to ensuring no child is left behind. “Vaccination is the only way to protect our children,” he said, urging communities to cooperate fully with health teams.
–SABC/ChannelAfrica–
