The District Health Directorate led by the Director, Stella Owusu Konadu conducted a stakeholder forum under the theme “Eradication of polio” on the 24th of April 2025. Her speech touched on the re-introduction of Inactive polio vaccine into the community and informed the gathering that there is going to be a routine polio vaccination exercise in the district.
In his presentation; Mr. Abdul Rahman (District Disease Control Officer), explained that the vaccines have been upgraded over the years due to the paralytic conditions observed. He said that the Oral polio vaccine (OPV) has been upgraded to Inactive polio vaccine (IPV) which is now going to be injected into the blood stream and is very safe. The injections are given to the baby when he /she is 14 weeks (IVP 1) and on the 7 month (IVP 2).
He said Samples were picked from the district for suspected polio cases 2 years ago but no polio was detected. He said that even though the IPV is very safe, there is also an existence of adverse events following the immunization (AEFI), and this could result in signs which may be seen in the baby when being observed by their parents or nannies. These signs are, vomiting, weakness, discomfort. He therefore encouraged parents not to hesitate on these signs if seen in the baby to avoid paralysis and to the extreme death.