Officially launching the childhood polio vaccination campaign in Nyagatare district, the Vice-Mayor for Social Affairs, Juliet Murekatete, called on the population to fully participate in the vaccination of children from birth to 7 years old, 'appropriate the act for the good of the children, themselves and the country.

On July 24, 2024, while she was in the Tabagwe sector in the Tabagwe cell in the Nyagatare district hospital catchment area, Ms. Murekatete explained to the population that vaccinating children against polio means is increase their body's immunity, which protects them from infecting themselves and others, thus preventing its spread.

“Right now, there is an extraordinary resurgence of the polio epidemic around the world and in neighboring countries. In order to prevent the spread of the disease, the government of Rwanda has taken measures to vaccinate all children from birth to age 7. Vaccination is free, so take ownership of the act and let us all make it our own,” said V/Mayor Murekatete Juliet.

This vaccination campaign is taking place throughout Rwanda from 07/24/2023 to 07/28/2023. The oral nOPV2 vaccine will be administered to children from birth to 7 years old and the procedure will be carried out by trained health workers who visit children in their homes.

The Rwanda Biomedical Center, RBC, claims that the vaccine is 100% safe as it has been approved by the Rwandan government and the World Health Organization, WHO.

“Studies have shown that vaccine drops are the most reliable way to protect children from the spread of the virus,” reads an RBC poster.

Paralysis of certain organs in the body is one of the effects that polio can have on a child who has it.