Benin to organize major anti-polio awareness campaign

Benin's government and its technical partners in the health sector are preparing to launch a major awareness campaign on anti-polio vaccination between May 2 to 6 during the African Vaccination Week.

The event will be held under the theme "Close the immunization gap: Stay polio free," a source from Benin's health ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

"During the African Vaccination Week, social mobilization activities and immunization for other antigens will be organized at health centers to improve immunization coverage," the same source said.

The statement from the health ministry noted that although polio has been contained in Benin, the country's proximity to some neighbouring countries where the disease is still prevalent poses a major challenge.

Polio is an infectious viral disease that affects the central nervous system and can cause temporary or permanent paralysis. The only effective way of fighting the disease is through immunization. Enditem