Monrovia, Liberia – The Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Health (MOH) and partners is set to officially launch a Nationwide Campaign on Novel Oral Polio Vaccine(nOPV2), from the 10 to 13 of May, 2024.
The launch, which will take place in each of the nation’s 15 counties, is an important step in the direction of ending polio nationwide. The most susceptible age group, children 0-59 months, will be the main recipients of this immunization program.
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.
It is anticipated that the recently developed oral polio vaccine would improve protection against polio and reduce the possibility of polioviruses obtained from vaccines spreading throughout the community. To guarantee its safety and effectiveness, professionals and international health organizations collaborated in its development.
Approximately 1,776 healthcare personnel, mobile vaccination teams, and immunization locations will be deployed nationwide as part of the launch by the Ministry of Health. The goal of the national campaign is to reach all children in the designated age group, irrespective of their location.
Dr. Louise M. Kpoto, the minister of health, expressed her excitement for the immunization campaign that will soon take place across the country. She underlined how crucial the nOPV2 vaccination is to the nation’s polio-fighting efforts.
Liberia has reached a significant advancement in its efforts to eradicate polio with the introduction of the Novel Oral Polio Vaccine. The efforts made by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in cooperation with other stakeholders have led to the development of this safe and effective vaccine.
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 historic event emphasizes the shared resolve to permanently eradicate polio worldwide and serves as a reminder of the priceless influence immunizations have on public health.
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 EPI’s cooperation with its EOC partners shows a commitment to organizing and carrying out a fruitful immunization campaign, with the ultimate goal of eliminating polio in Liberia.
