Benin has launched a new nationwide polio vaccination campaign targeting children aged 0 to 5, to eliminate the remaining pockets of virus circulation.
The operation, which runs through June 23, was officially launched on June 20 in Porto-Novo by the Minister of Health, Professor Benjamin Hounkpatin.
The kickoff event took place at the Djègan-Kpèvi Youth Centre in the presence of local authorities, including the Prefect of the Department, Dr. Marie Akpotrossou, and the Mayor of Porto-Novo, Charlemagne Yankoty.
“The results so far are encouraging, but we must eliminate the remaining hotspots,” said Health Minister Hounkpatin, urging full mobilization of community outreach workers to reach every household.
He noted that only children who are ill or suffering from severe malnutrition will be temporarily exempted.
UNICEF Representative in Benin, Ousmane Niang, emphasized the importance of routine immunization and warned against misinformation,
calling it the main barrier to full vaccine coverage.
He appealed for strong involvement from all community stakeholders to boost public awareness.
Benin, which has made significant progress in the fight against poliomyelitis, hopes this latest campaign will mark a decisive step toward the complete eradication of the virus within its borders.
TE/sf/lb/gik/APA