Bulambuli 26th April 2016 - Uganda, like over 100 countries introduced the Inactivated Polio Virus (IPV) vaccine into its immunization programme. The introduction precedes the formal switch from tOPV to bOPV scheduled for Friday April 29, 2016 to be implemented in public and private health facilities. 

Uganda has not had any occurrence of the wild-polio virus type-1 (WPV1) for the last four years. The introduction of IPV is therefore a big step towards Global Polio Eradication efforts and offers additional protection to the current oral polio vaccine (OPV). 

The introduction of IPV in Uganda, on 18th April 2016, at a function held in Bulambuli District was hailed as a key milestone for Uganda and all its partners in the polio eradication struggle.

Indeed this was acknowledged by the Minister of State for Primary Health Care, Hon Sarah Opendi while reiterating  that immunization remains the best cost effective intervention to health. She highlighted the Immunization Act that was recently assented to by His Excellency the President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni that makes it an offence punishable by maximum of 6 months if a mother/caretaker refuses to take her child for immunization.

Referring to the recent outbreak of Cholera in Bulambuli district, Hon. Opendi urged all people to practice proven health behaviours such as hand-washing, consistent use of toilets and childhood immunization  to check morbidity and mortality in the community. Hon Opendi later launched the Constituency Health Task Force a structure that will be at the forefront of mobilizing communities for health in all political constituencies in the country. 

In remarks read for him by Mr. Andrew Bakainaga, the National Professional Officer for Accelerated Immunization, WHO Country Representative Dr. Wondimagegnehu Alemu congratulated the country on successfully introducing the Inactivated Polio Virus (IPV) vaccine calling it a key milestone. He noted that new evidence shows that adding one dose of IPV to multiple doses of OPV at 14 weeks is the most effective method available to stop the polio virus and protect children.

Dr. Alemu further said that the global target of eradicating poliomyelitis is close. Therefore to move even faster towards this target, steps such as introduction of IPV, geared towards the endgame are of global significance.  He committed WHO’s support to the government working closely with partners to maintain zero status of polio in the country.

The combination of IPV and OPV provides stronger protection in children against polio. IPV strengthens immunity in the blood while OPV strengthens immunity in the gut.  The IPV, which is administered by injection, will be introduced into routine immunization programs in over 100 countries worldwide by July 2016.

Partner organizations, including the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), UNICEF, WHO and others as well as the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have worked tirelessly over the years to accelerate the eradication of the polio virus and maximize childhood immunity against poliomyelitis.

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For more information, please contact:

MWEBEMBEZI Edmond, Email: mwebembezie [at] who.int ( )

Below:

01. A health worker administers IPV at the function

02. Hon Sarah Opendi immunizes a child at the launch

03. Mr. Andrew Bakainaga (black suit) represented WHO at the launch