By Coletha Charles, NKUHUNGU.
Dodoma District has unveiled a strategy to use mass media, religious leaders, schools and mobile phone companies to mobilize parents to take their children for safe Polio vaccination, with the aim of completely eliminating the risk of the disease.
Speaking during the launch of the campaign at Nkuhungu Primary School, Dodoma District Commissioner, Alhaj Jabir Shekimweri, said radio and television programmes, particularly morning shows, will be used to educate the public and answer questions regarding the importance and safety of the vaccine.
He noted that religious leaders have also been given a key role in the awareness campaign due to their influence within communities and the presence of children in places of worship, including Sunday schools, madrasa classes and various religious groups.
“We want every child in Tanzania to have access to this vaccine. We have encouraged all schools, school committees and boards to pass the message to parents. We have also prepared text messages in collaboration with Vodacom, Tigo and Airtel to deliver information about the campaign directly to citizens through their mobile phones,” said Alhaj Shekimweri.
Schools have also been incorporated into the awareness drive, with about 911 supervisors who participated in examination seminars being instructed to ensure that school committees and boards communicate information about the campaign to parents.
Meanwhile, an official from the Ministry of Health’s Preventive Services Department, Health Education Section, Magdalena Dinawi, said the objective of the campaign is to strengthen children’s immunity against Type 2 Polio virus, prevent environmental transmission and ensure that Tanzania remains free from Polio infections.
“I call upon parents and guardians to ensure that every child receives the vaccine, even if they have already been vaccinated at health facilities or in previous campaigns. Vaccination is protection—vaccinate your child and safeguard their future. This vaccine is provided free of charge at health facilities, through house-to-house services, places of worship, bus terminals, markets and all public gathering areas where children under the age of 10 can be reached,” said Dinawi.
A resident of Itega Street in Nkuhungu Ward, Ally Hassan, also urged fellow parents not to ignore the free service but instead ensure their children receive the vaccine to protect their health and future lives.
“I encourage parents and guardians to make sure children are vaccinated even if they have previously received Polio vaccines. Participating in this campaign strengthens the body’s immunity and provides additional protection against Polio viruses that may exist in the environment,” he said.
The strategy has been described as essential in ensuring that the campaign message, under the slogan “Vaccinate Your Child, Protect Every Smile, Stop Polio,” reaches citizens in a timely manner, considering that many urban residents use public transport to commute and can access information through radio broadcasts while travelling.
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