Jiwaka PHA reaches 90% coverage in ongoing polio immunisation campaign

Polio Immunisation Campaign in one of the Kindergarten schools in Jiwaka (NBC News: John Wena Dilu)

Jiwaka Provincial Health Authority has achieved a 90% coverage in its ongoing Polio Outbreak Response Oral Polio Vaccine [nOPV2] campaign, vaccinating 99,656 children under 10 years out of a target population of 110,334.

Andreas Pruu, Advocacy and Communication Manager for Jiwaka PHA, said the province had reached 88.3% coverage as of August 25, placing second nationally behind Hela PHA.

“As of yesterday, Jiwaka PHA has reached 90%, while Hela Province leads the country with 94.7% coverage,” Pruu said.

The nationwide polio immunisation campaign is set to close tomorrow, after which health teams will continue mopping up, checking households and vaccinating children who were missed.

Advocacy and Communication manager for Jiwaka Provincial Health AuthorityAndreas Pruu briefing about the progressive results of the ongoing Polio Immunisation Campaign (nOPV2) in Jiwaka this morning (NBC News: John Wena Dilu)

District-level coverage shows strong results:

Anglimp South Waghi: 50,534 vaccinated out of 57,929 target

Jimi: 18,892 vaccinated out of 20,884 target

North Waghi: 30,230 vaccinated out of 31,521 target.

The campaign reflects the province’s commitment to protecting children against polio and ensuring nationwide immunisation targets are met.