Luanda – The second phase of the national vaccination campaign against polio and vitamin A is scheduled to run from 13 to 16 of the current month and is expected to immunise more than 5.431 million children between the ages of 0 and 5, as it was in the first phase.

According to the epidemiological officer of the National Directorate of Public Health for vaccine-preventable diseases, Claudete Samutondo Francisco, 1.773,411 children children aged 6 months and under 5 years in the Provinces of Luanda and Huíla will be vaccinated with vitamin A.

She said that over 5.6 million doses of polio vaccine and vitamin A are available, having  added that during the vaccination process, there will be intensified research into childhood paralysis.

Besides being door-to-door, during the campaign fixed posts will be set up to attend to all children who seek these services.

"The health centres will also be available to vaccinate, so I appeal to all parents to collaborate so that we can remain polio-free", she urged.

However, 45,493 technicians were mobilised to carry out the entire vaccination process.

With regard to the first phase, held from 8 to 11 November, 400 special teams were added for the areas not previously covered.

To prevent the diseases, the Ministry of Health plans routine vaccination strategies in health facilities with periodic campaigns against potentially epidemic diseases.

EVC/ART/MRA/jmc