37.8% Increase in Polio Immunization Progress

After the launch of the Crash Program Polio (CPP) program on March 8 2023, to date, the cumulative achievement of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) or injectable polio vaccine in Padang City is only 37.8 percent. This is due to the lack of public interest in bringing their children for polio immunization.

This was conveyed by the Head of the Padang City Health Service (Dinkes), Sri Kurnia Yati. He explained, this immunization is very important to prevent dangerous diseases for children.

“Even though we know that polio is not a mild disease and is easy to treat. When a child is affected by polio, the child will be paralyzed suddenly and there is no cure,” he explained.

Even though the achievements are still low, the efforts made by the Pemko Padang have continued to run optimally until now. Even posts for immunization injections were opened in all health facilities (faskes).

“Currently in Padang there are 1,512 posts spread across each health facility. Starting from every health center that provides polio immunization services, to independent doctors’ offices that also provide immunization injections,” he continued.

Sri said that so far there were no technical problems during the implementation of immunization. Indeed, basically public interest is still minimal. So that the IPV of polio has not yet reached 50 percent. Moreover, the target set is around 95 percent.

“So indeed our initial target was 95 percent, with a target of 77,624 children. From that target, only 37.9 percent was achieved. So there are still about 52 percent more that we have to complete. If the target is reached, our worries will disappear,” he said.

She hopes that the whole community, especially mothers who have toddlers, will immediately give polio immunization to their children. So at this time, how can West Sumatra, especially the city of Padang, also complete this CPP.

“Once again we emphasize that polio immunization is different from the Covid-19 vaccine. So there is nothing for the whole community to worry about,” he said.

Sri further conveyed that her party continues to provide outreach to the whole community about the importance of the Polio Crash Program for toddlers. Especially to avoid the spread of polio in the city of Padang. (cr4)