Increase in polio immunisation rates

Angola is one of the few countries in the world where polio is still endemic and where its eradication is hindered by a continued lack of access to all of its territory as a result of on-going conflict, UNICEF said in its latest humanitarian update. Nevertheless, in line with the global campaign to eradicate polio, the first round of polio national immunisation days (NIDs) took place on 10-11 June, and succeeded in immunising three million children under five in all of the country’s 18 provinces, according to ministry of health figures. In comparison, only 2.5 million children were vaccinated during the first NID round in 1999, UNICEF said. The main increase in terms of coverage occurred in Luanda where 935,427 children were immunised this year compared to only 526,037 last year. In terms of the total number of children under five years of age vaccinated, the number decreased in six provinces compared to last year (Bengo, Cunene, Kwanza Sul, Lunda Norte, Malanje, and Uige). In the other 12 provinces, the numbers of children vaccinated increased compared to 1999.