THE World Health Organisation (WHO) Zimbabwe National Professional Officer for Expanded program on Immunization, Dr Maxwell Rupfutse said research shows that children under the age of four are more susceptible to typhoid as compared to other age groups.
By Patricia Mashiri
Speaking during a virtual media sensitization meeting on Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine Introduction and catch up vaccination campaign, Dr Rupfutse said typhoid fever death rates may rise when left untreated.
Severe cases may lead to serious complications or even death. Death rates in typhoid fever range from 1-4% in treated cases and 10-20% in untreated cases. The highest death rates are reported in children under the age of four.
“The people who are at most risk for typhoid fever are the ones lacking access to safe water and adequate sanitation, usually children under the age of 15 years of age, the elderly and immune-compromised indviduals,” said Dr Rupfutse.
He added that Typhoid can be prevented and controlled by having access to safe drinking water, access to adequate sanitation, health education on good personal hygiene and typhoid vaccination to complement above measures.
Meanwhile, Colline Chigodo, National Manager Expanded Program on Immunization in the Ministry of Health and Child Care )MoHCC) said the overall goal of the campaign was to sustain reduction in Typhoid, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) morbidity and mortality, prevent importation of poliovirus and reduce Vitamin A deficiency in the country.
“The objectives of the integrated campaign is to vaccinate 90% of all children aged 9 months to less than 15 years with Typhoid Conjugate vaccine (TVC), to vaccinate 90% of children born between 24 January 2016 and 23December 2018 with Inactivated Polio Vaccine(IPV) , to vaccinate 90% of Grade 5 girls in school and 10 years out of school with HPV dose 1,Grade 6 in school and 11 years+ out of school girls with HPV dose2( those who missed their and second dose) as well as to administer Vitamin A to all children aged 6-59 months.
“The vaccine will be administered at hospitals, schools, mobile outreach centres in communities and all health centres,” Chigodo said.
